World: Airlines set record filling seats on planes in 2017

Airliners worldwide flew fuller last year than ever before, with an average of more than four out of five seats occupied. The average load factor was 81.4% worldwide, a record that represented a 0.9-point gain from the previous year, according to the IATA. Planes were more crowded despite 6.3% growth in capacity, meaning more planes and more seats on them. Demand, as measured in the average distance the passengers paid to fly, grew 7.6% for the year, including 4% in North America, according to the group. But rising fuel costs have dampened expectations for this year, as airlines began to warn of fare hikes to keep pace. "2017 got off to a very strong start and largely stayed that way throughout the year, sustained by a broad-based pick-up in economic conditions,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's CEO, in announcing the traffic figures Thursday. “While the underlying economic outlook remains supportive in 2018, rising cost inputs, most notably fuel, suggest we are unlikely to see the same degree of demand stimulation from lower fares that occurred in the first part of 2017." The load factor among US airlines was 82.54% during the first 10 months of 2017, according to the Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That rate included 84.54% for domestic flights and 80.83% for international flights. But if that feels crowded, the load factor in India weighed in at 89.3%, according to IATA. If you're looking for roomier flights, Japan's flights averaged two-thirds full.<br/>