Air Travel Insights: Tracking Passenger Trends Through San Francisco International Airport
As the holiday season approaches and travelers prepare to visit family, explore new destinations, and escape the early chill, air traffic begins to surge across the country. With data updated through August 1, 2025, this Power BI dashboard takes a closer look at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — one of the top international gateways in the United States — to uncover how air travel patterns have evolved over time.
A Global Hub Connecting the U.S., Europe, and Asia
San Francisco’s strategic coastal location makes it a vital link between the United States, Europe, and Asia — the top three regions for both departing (enplaned) and arriving (deplaned) passengers. The airport serves as a crossroads for millions of travelers, from tech executives commuting between continents to families reuniting across time zones for the holidays.
Top Airlines Leading Passenger Volume
When it comes to passenger movement through SFO, five airlines dominate the skies: United Airlines, SkyWest, Delta, Alaska, and American Airlines. Together, they account for the majority of both domestic and international traffic.
The Power BI dashboard’s interactive visuals allow users to select any airline and view how its monthly passenger flow changes over time — a helpful lens to understand how different carriers are performing as the travel industry stabilizes post-pandemic.
Long-Term Passenger Trends: Recovery and Resilience
The data shows that passenger volumes remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2019, reflecting consistent travel demand. However, a sharp decline occurred in 2019–2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, when international and domestic travel nearly came to a standstill.
Since then, SFO has shown steady recovery, with passenger traffic gradually catching up to pre-pandemic levels. As of mid-2025, volumes continue to climb — a promising sign heading into the busy winter travel season.
Passenger Preferences and Fare Choices
Interestingly, most passengers tend to book flights under the “Other” fare category, rather than “Low Fare.” This suggests that many travelers — particularly those booking during peak seasons or on business routes — prioritize schedule flexibility, seat options, and service quality over the lowest price.
This insight is particularly relevant for the upcoming holiday months, when convenience and timing often outweigh cost in the decision-making process.
Looking Ahead: A Busy Holiday Season Ahead
With Thanksgiving and year-end holidays approaching, both domestic and international travel are expected to surge once again. Popular destinations across Asia and Europe will likely see increased bookings from San Francisco, while domestic routes to major U.S. cities will remain crowded with returning students and holiday travelers.
At the same time, travelers should be aware of the FAA’s ongoing flight-reduction directives, which may affect certain schedules during peak periods. If you have upcoming travel plans, it’s a good idea to double-check your airline emails and notifications to ensure your flight hasn’t been adjusted or reassigned. A quick inbox refresh now can save you a holiday headache later.
As you explore the dashboard, you can filter by airline, region, activity type, or fare category to see how the patterns shift — a data-driven way to understand the rhythm of travel during one of the busiest times of the year.
From steady recoveries to soaring holiday departures, these insights remind us that air travel isn’t just about flights — it’s about connection, reunion, and movement.
At Vertical Circle, we make data meaningful — turning numbers into stories about people, journeys, and the world that keeps moving forward.