What does Available Seat Miles (ASM) measure?

Available Seat Miles (ASM) is a critical metric in the airline industry that reflects the passenger carrying capacity of a flight. It is calculated by multiplying the number of available seats on an aircraft by the distance traveled in miles. This measurement provides insights into the overall capacity that an airline offers for passenger traffic over a certain distance.

When an airline has a higher ASM, it indicates that there is a greater opportunity to generate revenues from passenger sales because more seats are available for sale over a longer distance. This metric is essential for evaluating the efficiency and performance of airline operations, as it helps in assessing how well an airline is utilizing its available seating capacity relative to actual passenger demand.

Other options relate to different aspects of aviation metrics: while the total number of flights, distance covered by routes, and profit per flight are important, they do not accurately define what ASM measures. ASM specifically focuses on the available seating capacity multiplied by the distance flown, making it vital for understanding airline performance and capacity management.