Top 15 International Airlines Serving the US Revealed

Recent data from the United States Department of Transportation indicates that the country welcomed approximately 254 million international passengers from August 2024 to July 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 2% compared to the previous year, averaging around 696,000 passengers daily. Notably, out of these travelers, roughly 128 million were carried by non-US airlines, highlighting the significant role of international carriers in the US aviation market.

Leading International Airlines

The top 15 international airlines operating routes to the United States include notable names such as Air Canada, British Airways, Volaris, and Lufthansa. Among these, Air Canada stands out as the leading operator, transporting 11.6 million passengers over the specified period. This total includes 6.2 million passengers on its mainline services, 3.0 million on Air Canada Express, and 2.4 million via its Rouge brand. Despite these numbers, Air Canada experienced a 10% decline in traffic compared to the previous year, attributed partly to reduced operations at several US airports.

In contrast, US-based airlines have seen growth in passenger numbers. For instance, United Airlines recorded a significant rise, with an increase of 12% in passenger traffic during the same timeframe. This shift raises questions about the strategic decisions made by US carriers to capture a larger share of the market.

An overview of the top 15 international airlines and their corresponding passenger numbers is as follows:

– **Air Canada**: 11.6 million passengers, 81% seat load factor, -10% year-over-year
– **British Airways**: 7.5 million passengers, 85% seat load factor, +1%
– **Volaris**: 7.1 million passengers, 77% seat load factor, -9%
– **Lufthansa**: 5.3 million passengers, 83% seat load factor, +4%
– **WestJet**: 5.1 million passengers, 85% seat load factor, -2%
– **Avianca**: 4.9 million passengers, 81% seat load factor, +11%
– **Air France**: 4.7 million passengers, 87% seat load factor, +7%
– **Aeromexico**: 4.3 million passengers, 82% seat load factor, +13%
– **Turkish Airlines**: 4.1 million passengers, 83% seat load factor, +12%
– **Virgin Atlantic**: 3.8 million passengers, 79% seat load factor, +6%
– **Copa Airlines**: 3.6 million passengers, 89% seat load factor, +9%
– **Emirates**: 3.3 million passengers, 75% seat load factor, 0%
– **Qatar Airways**: 3.3 million passengers, 91% seat load factor, +3%
– **LATAM**: 3.1 million passengers, 87% seat load factor, +3%
– **Aer Lingus**: 2.7 million passengers, 77% seat load factor, +8%

Copa Airlines Expands Its Reach

Copa Airlines emerged as the 11th largest international airline serving the US, with 3.6 million passengers transported, which marks a 9% increase year-over-year. The launch of new flights from Panama City to San Diego in June 2025 has been a key factor in this growth. This new route, spanning 2,530 nautical miles (approximately 4,686 kilometers), operates four times a week using a 166-seat Boeing 737 MAX 9.

In June and July 2025, the initial months of this route, Copa Airlines recorded 6,262 round-trip passengers with an impressive 86% seat load factor. This suggests a strong demand for the new service, although it remains essential to consider the broader context of fare pricing and market trends before drawing conclusions.

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has made significant strides by overtaking Korean Air as the 15th largest international carrier to the US. With a growth of 8%, Aer Lingus expanded its network by adding flights from Dublin to new US destinations such as Las Vegas, Nashville, and Indianapolis. These routes, supported by financial incentives, have begun to yield positive results, although early load factors vary.

As the international aviation landscape continues to evolve, the performance of these airlines reflects broader economic trends and passenger preferences. The ongoing shifts in traffic patterns underscore the competitive nature of the industry and the importance of strategic route planning.