Air travel in Europe is undergoing a quiet transformation, with new cross-border data offering an insight into how the “average flight” is changing.
Using statistics compiled by Eurocontrol – an air traffic control organization spanning more than 40 member states – it is possible to identify key trends about a typical flight in 2024, and learn more about where European aviation is heading:
Flights are Getting Longer
The average flight distance in Europe hit 1,157 kilometers last year – that’s just over 1,000 nautical miles. This 17 km increase on 2023 might sound modest, but it’s part of a much larger structural shift. Figures show a clear upward trend, with the 2024 average now 107 km further than in 2018.
The reasons behind this are numerous, but there are some big-picture considerations. Domestic and regional routes are in long-term decline, often
