How Much Do Airlines Rake in from Fees? More than $31 Billion
Those little extras sure add up: $5 glass of wine, $50 bag fee, $200 change fee. But did you know they add up to billions?
Four fees you should never, ever pay
1200% Increase Since 2007
According to a newly-released joint report from CarTrawler/IdeaWorks, last year airlines from around the world took in ancilliary revenue – or fees – of more than $31.5 billion. Here's another startling figure: Fee revenue has jumped by 1,200 percent since 2007.
Fees through the Years
What global airlines overall rake in. See all the statistics in the CarTrawler/IdeaWorks annual report.
Airline Ancillary Revenue by Year | ||
| 2013 | 59 airlines | $31.5 billion |
| 2012 | 53 airlines | $27.1 billion |
| 2011 | 50 airlines | $22.6 billion |
| 2010 | 47 airlines | $21.46 billion |
| 2009 | 47 airlines | $13.47 billion |
| 2008 | 35 airlines | $10.25 billion |
| 2007 | 23 airlines | $2.45 billion |
Which Airlines Earned the Most from Fees
Note which airline in sixth place – despite offering two checked-bags for free. Hello, Southwest!
Top Airline Ancillary Revenue Earners for 2013 | |
| United | $5.703 billion |
| Delta | $2.528 billion |
| American | $2.079 billion |
| Air France/KLM | $1.715 billion |
| Ryanair | $1.689 billion |
| Southwest | $1.624 billion |
Airlines: Fees as Biggest Percentage of Total Revenue
Fees can really add to an airline's bottom line. Notice that the biggest beneficiaries are all low cost carriers.
Ancillary Revenue as a % of Total Revenue – 2013 | |
| Spirit | 38.4% |
| Wizz Air | 34.9% |
| Allegiant | 32.6% |
| Jet2.com | 27.7% |
| Ryanair | 24.8% |
November 7, 2014
