Print icon

2nd-Quarter 2010 Airline Financial Data: Network, Low-Cost and Regional Airlines Report Profits

PDF

Contact
BTS 44-10
Dave Smallen
202-366-5568

Monday, September 20, 2010 - Network airlines' profit margin in the second quarter of 2010 was the largest since the second quarter of 2007, while the combined profit margin for the network, low-cost and regional carrier groups was the highest since the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) began issuing quarterly airline financial numbers in 2002, BTS reported today in a release of preliminary data.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the network airlines reported an operating profit margin of 9.0 percent as a group in the April-to-June period, their first since the third quarter of 2009, while the low-cost and regional airline groups continued to report operating profits (Table 1).

As part of their second-quarter revenue, the airlines collected $893 million in baggage fees (Table 1A) and $594 million from reservation change fees (Table 1B) from April to June.

In addition to the fees, airlines reported ancillary revenue of $618 million from passengers and from other sources. This revenue category includes revenue from frequent flyer award program mileage sales and pet transportation fees (Table 1C). Total second quarter 2010 airline revenue from all ancillary sources that can be identified, including fees and frequent flyer sales was $2.1 billion, with Delta Air Lines reporting the most, $682 million (Table 1D). Other fees, such as revenue from seating assignments and on-board sales of food, drink, pillows, blankets, and entertainment are reported in a different category with other items and cannot be identified separately.

The combined passenger fees and ancillary revenue from other sources constituted 6.0 percent of the total revenue of the 28 carriers that reported receiving ancillary revenue (Table 1E). Spirit Airlines reported the largest percent of operating revenue from ancillary revenue of any carrier, 24.2 percent. For additional Miscellaneous Operating Revenue data, go to BTS Schedule P-12

Operating Margins

The six network carriers posted a profit margin of 9.0 percent in the second quarter with a combined operating profit of $2.4 billion (Table 2). In the second quarter of 2009, these carriers reported a loss margin of 0.5 percent with a loss of $111 million.

The seven low-cost carriers reported a 9.9 percent profit margin, the largest profit margin since the second quarter of 2006, with profits of $557 million for the seventh consecutive profitable quarter. The seven regional carriers posted a 6.1 percent profit margin of $110 million, down from the 7.0 percent margin in the second quarter of 2009.

See Airline Financial Data Press Releases for historic data. Operating margin measures profit or loss as a percentage of the airline's total operating revenue.

The top three operating profit margins were reported by low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines and network carrier Alaska Airlines (Tables 2, 3). Regional carrier ExpressJet reported the largest loss margin. The only other operating losses were reported by low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Spirit (Table 3, 4).

Network carriers operate a significant portion of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights on a spoke system. Low-cost carriers are those that the industry recognizes as operating under a low-cost business model, with lower infrastructure and aircraft operating costs. Regional carriers provide service from small cities, using primarily regional jets to support the network carriers' hub and spoke systems. The selected groups consist of those airlines in each group with the highest reported operating revenue in the most recent 12-month period.

Fuel Expenses

The six network airlines spent 25.5 percent of their operating expenses in the second quarter of 2010 on fuel, compared to 22.1 percent in the second quarter of 2005 (Table 5).

The network carriers spent 3.69 cents per available seat-mile (ASM) for fuel in the second quarter of 2010, up from 3.43 cents per ASM in the first quarter of 2010 and up from 2.93 cents per ASM in the second quarter of 2009 (Table 6).

Regional carriers American Eagle Airlines and Horizon Air and low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines spent the most for fuel per ASM while regional carriers ExpressJet, Atlantic Southeast Airlines andComair spent the least (Tables 7, 8).

ExpressJet's fuel expenses have been assumed by Continental for operations that the mainline carrier has directed its regional partner to fly. United Airlines has assumed similar expenses for its regional partner Atlantic Southeast and Delta has taken over fuel expenses for its regional subsidiary Comair.

For airline fuel expenses, see Tables 5-8. For additional detail on airline fuel cost and consumption, see the BTS Airline Fuel Cost and Consumption web page.

Unit Costs

Unit costs for the network carriers increased from 13.5 cents per ASM in the second quarter of 2009 to 14.5 cents per ASM in the second quarter of 2010 (Table 9).

The carriers with the highest unit costs were regional airlines Horizonand American Eagle and network carrier US Airways. The lowest unit costs were reported by regional carriers ExpressJet and Comair and low-cost carrier Allegiant (Tables 10-12).

Unit Revenues

The six network carriers' unit revenues in the second quarter of 2010 were 15.9 cents per ASM compared to 13.4 cents in the second quarter of 2009 (Table 13).

The highest unit revenues were reported by regional carriers Horizon andAmerican Eagle and network carrier US Airways. The lowest unit revenues were reported by regional carriers ExpressJet and Comair and low-cost carrier Spirit (Tables 14-16).

Passenger Yield

The six network airlines' passenger yield was 13.0 cents per revenue passenger-mile (RPM) in the second quarter of 2010, up from 11.0 cents per RPM in the second quarter of 2009 (Table 17). Passenger revenue yield measures passenger revenues against total travel by dividing passenger revenues by RPMs.

The top passenger revenue yields were reported by regional carriers AmericanEagle, Horizon and Mesa Airlines. The lowest passenger revenue yields were reported by regional carrierExpressJet and low-cost carriers Allegiant and Spirit. United reported the highest passenger yield of any network carrier (Tables 18-20).

Reporting Notes

This release consists of domestic plus international, or system, financial reports for the airlines. For additional revenue and operating profit/loss numbers, go to the BTS home page and use the links in the Airline Industry box.

Airline financial data from the second quarter of 2010 and previous quarters are posted on the BTS website at TranStats, the Intermodal Transportation Database, http://www.transtats.bts.gov/Fields.asp?Table_ID=295. Data are compiled from quarterly financial and monthly traffic reports filed with BTS by commercial air carriers.

Financial and traffic data are preliminary and include data received by BTS as of Sept. 7. Revised carrier data and late data filings will be made available monthly on TranStats on the Monday following the second Tuesday of the month.Data are subject to revision. BTS will release third quarter 2010 financial data on Dec. 13.

Table 1: Passenger Airline System* Quarterly Operating Profit/Loss Margin (In Percent)

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Margin

(Operating Profit/Loss as Percent of Total Operating Revenue)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline Group 2nd Quarter 2009 (%) 3rd Quarter 2009 (%) 4th Quarter 2009 (%) 1st Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter Operating Profit/Loss $(Millions)
1 Low-Cost 7.2 8.3 3.9 2.4 9.9 557
2 Network -0.5 1.4 -1.2 -0.7 9.0 2,421
3 Regional 7.0 4.2 5.5 3.8 6.1 110
  21-Carrier Total 1.2 2.3 0.2 0.0 9.0 3,088

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2

* System = domestic + international

Table 1A: Baggage Fee Collections

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Baggage Fee Revenue

Dollars in Millions (000,000)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 (%) Percent Change 2Q 2009-2Q 2010 (%)
1 Delta* 118.4 129.5 131.1 217.8 256.0 116.2
2 American 118.4 119.5 129.2 128.5 152.1 28.5
3 US Airways 104.1 111.4 122.5 120.7 135.6 30.3
4 Continental 63.2 66.0 69.7 76.6 91.0 44.0
5 United 67.4 77.9 64.6 71.1 84.8 25.8
6 AirTran 40.5 40.2 34.3 35.0 39.2 -3.2
7 Alaska 6.2 25.2 21.8 21.2 25.4 309.7
8 Spirit 16.2 16.4 14.3 16.0 16.8 3.7
9 Frontier 13.5 14.9 14.4 13.9 15.5 14.8
10 Allegiant 12.0 10.3 10.2 14.8 14.4 11.9
  Industry Total** 669.6 739.8 741.6 768.5 892.8 33.3

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P1.2.

* Delta Air Lines, after completing its merger with Northwest Airlines, reported combined numbers for the first time in the first quarter of 2010. For previous Northwest reports, see Financial Press Releases

** 21 carriers reported baggage fee revenue in 2Q 2010

Note: For other carriers and additional historic data, see Passenger Baggage

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding. 

Note: Detail may not add to total.

Table 1B: Reservation Change Fee Collections

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Reservation Change Fee Revenue

Dollars in Millions (000,000)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 (%) Percent Change 2Q 2009-2Q 2010 (%)
1 Delta* 100.7 112.0 106.5 165.3 181.8 80.5
2 American 109.6 120.4 104.0 114.4 121.0 10.4
3 United 81.1 79.4 71.2 74.7 83.7 3.2
4 US Airways   64.0 61.0 57.3 62.7 65.6 2.5
5 Continental 59.8 56.0 52.6 58.9 61.1 2.2
6 JetBlue 30.0 28.7 30.4 25.8 30.0 0.0
7 Alaska 15.3 15.6 13.4 13.5 12.7 -17.0
8 AirTran 12.3 12.2 13.5 14.2 12.2 -0.8
9 Spirit 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.6 5.4 -8.5
10 Hawaiian 6.6 6.5 4.7 4.5 4.6 -30.3
  Industry Total** 606.5 613.5 565.6 553.9 594.0 -2.1

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P1.2.

* Delta Air Lines, after completing its merger with Northwest Airlines, reported combined numbers for the first time in the first quarter of 2010. For previous Northwest reports, see Financial Press Releases

** 20 carriers reported reservation cancellation fee revenue in 2Q 2010

Note: For other carriers and additional historic data, see Reservation Cancellation Fees

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding. 

Note: Detail may not add to total.

Table 1C: Miscellaneous Operating Revenue*

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Miscellaneous Operating Revenue

Dollars in Millions (000,000)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Percent Change 2Q 2009-2Q 2010 (%)
1 Delta** 187.9 206.0 188.1 209.0 243.8 29.7
2 Southwest 148.2 148.4 150.4 160.7 193.7 30.7
3 US Airways 60.1 58.4 51.9 54.7 54.4 -9.5
4 Spirit 14.7 14.5 15.9 18.4 19.7 34.0
5 American 18.4 21.3 20.1 18.1 19.2 4.3
6 AirTran 12.9 15.6 13.3 13.3 14.1 9.3
7 United 10.0 11.2 10.4 9.6 10.6 6.0
8 American Eagle 6.1 6.3 6.7 7.3 10.0 63.9
9 Continental 13.1 8.5 6.9 7.2 8.5 -35.1
10 Alaska 7.2 6.5 7.0 6.9 8.2 13.9
  Industry Total*** 542.2 601.1 483.4 534.4 618.2 14.0

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P1.2.

* Miscellaneous operating revenue includes pet transportation, sale of frequent flyer award miles to airline business partners and standby passenger fees.

** Delta Air Lines, after completing its merger with Northwest Airlines, reported combined numbers for the first time in the first quarter of 2010. For previous Northwest reports, see Financial Press Releases

*** 28 carriers reported miscellaneous operating revenue in 2Q 2010

Note: For other carriers and additional historic data, see Miscellaneous operating revenue  

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding. 

Note: Detail may not add to total.

Table 1D: Ancillary Revenue*

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Ancillary Revenue

Dollars in Millions (000,000)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Percent Change 2Q 2009-2Q 2010 (%)
1 Delta** 407.0 447.5 425.7 592.1 681.6 67.5
2 American 246.5 261.2 253.3 261.1 292.3 18.6
3 US Airways 228.2 230.8 231.8 238.1 255.6 12.0
4 Southwest 148.4 155.7 157.2 167.5 201.7 35.9
5 United 158.5 168.5 146.2 155.5 179.1 13.0
6 Continental 136.0 130.5 129.1 142.8 160.7 18.2
7 AirTran 65.7 68.0 61.2 62.5 65.5 -0.3
8 JetBlue 48.5 48.7 48.1 42.5 47.7 -1.6
9 Alaska 28.7 47.3 42.2 41.6 46.3 61.3
10 Spirit 36.8 36.8 36.1 40.0 41.9 13.9
  Industry Total*** 1,818.3 1,954.4 1,790.6 1,856.9 2,105.0 15.8

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P1.2.

* Ancillary revenue includes baggage fees, reservation change fees and miscellaneous operating revenue, including pet transportation, sale of frequent flyer award miles to airline business partners and standby passenger fees. Revenue from seating assignments and on-board sales of food, drink, pillows, blankets, entertainment, or any other ancillary items are reported as Transport Related Revenue and cannot be identified separately.

** Delta Air Lines, after completing its merger with Northwest Airlines, reported combined numbers for the first time in the first quarter of 2010. For previous Northwest reports, see Financial Press Releases

*** 28 carriers reported baggage fee, reservation change fee or miscellaneous operating revenue in 2Q 2010

Note: For other carriers and additional historic data, see Passenger Baggage Fees, Reservation Cancellation Fees or Miscellaneous Operating Revenues

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding. 

Note: Detail may not add to total.

Table 1E: Ancillary Revenue Compared to Total Operating Revenue*

Ranked by Percent of 2nd Quarter 2010 Operating Revenue from Ancillary Revenue

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Percentage Point Change 2Q 2009-2Q 2010 (%)
1 Spirit 20.5 20.6 21.0 21.7 24.2 3.7
2 Allegiant 12.2 9.3 8.8 9.9 9.9 -2.3
3 AirTran 10.9 11.4 10.2 10.3 9.3 -1.6
4 Delta** 9.0 9.3 9.5 8.6 8.3 -0.7
5 US Airways 8.3 8.2 8.6 8.7 7.9 -0.4
6 Virgin America 7.8 7.0 8.2 8.5 7.7 -0.1
7 Frontier 6.0 6.3 6.6 6.1 7.0 1.0
8 Hawaiian 7.1 6.7 6.7 6.6 6.7 -0.4
9 Southwest 5.7 5.9 5.8 6.4 6.4 0.7
10 Horizon 3.7 3.2 2.9 3.0 5.6 1.9
  Industry Total*** 5.9 6.0 5.8 6.0 6.0 0.1

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P1.2.

* Ancillary revenue includes baggage fees, reservation change fees and miscellaneous operating revenue, including pet transportation, sale of frequent flyer award miles to airline business partners and standby passenger fees. Revenue from seating assignments and on-board sales of food, drink, pillows, blankets, entertainment, or any other ancillary items are reported as Transport Related Revenue and cannot be identified separately.

** Delta Air Lines, after completing its merger with Northwest Airlines, reported combined numbers for the first time in the first quarter of 2010. For previous Northwest reports, see Financial Press Releases

*** 28 carriers reported baggage fee, reservation change fee or miscellaneous operating revenue in 2Q 2010

Note: For other carriers and additional historic data, see Passenger Baggage Fees, Reservation Cancellation Fees or Miscellaneous Operating Revenues

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding. 

Table 2: Network Airline System* Quarterly Operating Profit/Loss Margin (In Percent)

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Margin

(Operating Profit/Loss as Percent of Total Operating Revenue)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Network Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 (%) 3rd Quarter 2009 (%) 4th Quarter 2009 (%) 1st Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter Operating Profit/Loss $(Millions)
1 Alaska 4.2 16.8 3.4 5.2 15.5 135
2 Delta -3.5 1.4 -2.1 1.6 11.2 920
3 US Airways 4.4 0.1 1.0 -0.4 11.1 362
4 United 4.3 2.9 1.9 2.2 10.2 525
5 Continental -5.2 1.3 -0.2 -2.3 8.7 319
6 American -5.3 -4.8 -8.5 -6.4 2.8 159
7 Northwest 5.4 6.9 4.5 N/A N/A N/A
  7-Carrier Total -0.5 1.4 -1.2 -0.7 9.0 2,421

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2

* System = domestic + international

Table 3: Low-Cost System* Quarterly Operating Profit/Loss Margin (In Percent))

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Margin

(Operating Profit/Loss as Percent of Total Operating Revenue)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Low-Cost Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 (%) 3rd Quarter 2009 (%) 4th Quarter 2009 (%) 1st Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter Operating Profit/Loss $(Millions)
1 Allegiant 23.8 14.4 11.7 20.0 13.9 22
2 Southwest 4.7 0.8 6.2 2.1 11.5 362
3 JetBlue 7.9 7.7 7.6 4.8 10.1 95
4 AirTran 1.0 6.2 4.4 0.5 9.7 69
5 Virgin America -8.4 3.2 -8.2 -13.1 6.1 11
6 Frontier 9.5 10.3 -4.6 -8.1 -0.1 0
7 Spirit 17.3 14.6 12.4 13.1 -1.3 -3
  7-Carrier Total 7.0 4.2 5.5 2.4 9.9 557

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2

* System = domestic + international

Table 4: Regional Airline System* Quarterly Operating Profit/Loss Margin (In Percent)

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Margin

(Operating Profit/Loss as Percent of Total Operating Revenue)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Regional Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 (%) 3rd Quarter 2009 (%) 4th Quarter 2009 (%) 1st Quarter 2010 (%) 2nd Quarter 2010 (%) 2ndQuarter Operating Profit/Loss $(Millions)
1 Mesa 4.3 5.5 0.7 2.9 9.8 18
2 Atlantic Southeast 7.7 10.7 8.1 8.1 8.0 14
3 American Eagle 7.1 11.8 7.4 5.2 7.4 37
4 Comair 16.2 3.8 -5.0 8.4 7.4 8
5 SkyWest 8.7 9.2 7.6 5.8 7.1 33
6 Horizon 7.0 13.7 4.3 0.9 4.8 8
7 ExpressJet -6.1 -4.7 -9.9 -7.8 -4.3 -9
  7-Carrier Total 7.2 8.0 3.9 3.8 6.1 110

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2

* System = domestic + international

Table 5: Passenger Airline System* Fuel Costs Per Available Seat-Mile

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Fuel Cost Per ASM (Cents Per ASM)

(Fuel Expense Per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline Group 2nd Quarter 2005 2nd Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Pct. Change 2Q 2005-2Q 2010 Percent Of Operating Costs for Fuel 2nd Quarter Fuel Expense $(Millions)
2005 2010
1 Network 2.76 2.93 3.43 3.69 33.7 22.1 25.5 6,218
2 Low-Cost 2.20 2.74 3.34 3.57 62.3 24.4 33.5 1,702
3 Regional 3.57 2.48 2.21 2.32 -35.0 27.8 20.4 347
  21-Carrier Total 2.74 2.86 3.33 3.57 30.3 22.8 26.5 8,267

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P6

* System = domestic + international

Table 6: Network Airline System* Fuel Costs Per Available Seat-Mile

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Fuel Cost Per ASM (Cents Per ASM)

(Fuel Expense Per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Network Airlines 2nd Quarter 2005 2nd Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Pct. Change 2Q 2005-2Q 2010 Percent Of Operating Costs for Fuel 2nd Quarter Fuel Expense $(Millions)
2005 2010
1 Delta 2.66 3.85 3.69 3.87 45.5 21.4 26.9 1,958
2 American 2.72 3.13 3.61 3.87 42.3 23.8 27.0 1,487
3 United 2.72 2.11 3.36 3.86 41.9 21.9 25.8 1,198
4 US Airways 2.79 2.39 3.20 3.33 19.4 21.1 21.2 613
5 Continental 2.56 2.98 3.02 3.22 25.8 20.2 23.2 774
6 Alaska 2.68 2.26 2.93 3.07 14.6 24.2 25.5 188
7 Northwest 3.19 3.04 N/A N/A N/A 22.4 N/A N/A
  7-Carrier Total 2.76 2.93 3.43 3.69 33.7 22.1 25.5 6,218

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P6

* System = domestic + international

Table 7: Low-Cost Airline System* Fuel Costs Per Available Seat-Mile

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Fuel Cost Per ASM (Cents Per ASM)

(Fuel Expense Per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Low-Cost Airlines 2nd Quarter 2005 2nd Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Pct. Change 2Q 2005-2Q 2010 Percent Of Operating Costs for Fuel 2nd Quarter Fuel Expense $(Millions)
2005 2010
1 Frontier 2.53 2.31 2.21 4.44 75.5 23.9 26.5 84
2 Allegiant 3.11 2.92 3.80 4.00 28.6 38.6 45.1 62
3 Southwest 1.69 2.84 3.62 3.66 116.6 21.7 33.3 933
4 AirTran 2.75 2.60 3.43 3.57 29.8 30.5 35.4 224
5 JetBlue 1.90 2.86 3.02 3.21 68.9 28.5 33.0 279
6 Spirit 2.80 2.24 2.96 3.20 14.3 29.3 34.6 61
7 Virgin America N/A 2.19 2.94 3.11 N/A N/A 33.8 59
  7-Carrier Total 2.20 2.74 3.34 3.57 62.3 24.4 33.5 1,702

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P6

* System = domestic + international

Table 8: Regional Airline System* Fuel Costs Per Available Seat-Mile

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Fuel Cost Per ASM (Cents Per ASM)

(Fuel Expense Per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Regional Airlines 2nd Quarter 2005 2nd Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 Pct. Change 2Q 2005-2Q 2010 Percent Of Operating Costs for Fuel 2nd Quarter Fuel Expense $(Millions)
2005 2010
1 American Eagle 4.47 4.87 5.71 5.94 32.9 31.0 34.7 159
2 Horizon 2.78 3.15 4.10 4.24 52.5 17.8 21.7 35
3 Mesa 3.37 2.88 4.21 4.19 24.3 32.1 32.0 55
4 SkyWest 4.13 2.05 1.82 1.94 -53.0 31.1 18.4 82
5 ExpressJet 1.76 0.09 0.32 0.38 -78.4 15.3 5.5 12
6 Atlantic Southeast 4.07 2.81 0.09 0.23 -94.3 31.8 2.5 4
7 Comair 4.35 2.58 0.00 0.00 N/A 31.8 0.0 0
  7-Carrier Total 3.57 2.48 2.21 2.32 -35.0 27.8 20.4 347

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Form 41; Schedule P6

* System = domestic + international

Table 9: Passenger Airline System* Unit Costs

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Costs (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Expenses per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline  Group 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Expenses $(Millions)
1 Network 13.5 13.7 14.9 14.7 14.5 24,400
2 Regional 12.4 11.8 12.5 12.0 11.4 1,702
3 Low-Cost 9.3 9.9 10.3 10.6 10.5 5,086
  21-Carrier Total 12.6 12.8 13.8 13.7 13.4 31,188

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 10: Network Airline System* Unit Costs Network Carriers

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Costs (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Expenses per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Network Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Expenses $(Millions)
1 US Airways 14.4 15.0 16.0 16.5 15.7 2,890
2 United 12.2 13.4 14.2 14.7 14.9 4,638
3 Delta 15.3 14.2 15.8 14.9 14.4 7,285
4 American 13.3 13.9 14.9 14.6 14.3 5,510
5 Continental 13.4 12.8 13.9 14.1 13.9 3,341
6 Alaska 12.3 11.7 12.7 12.6 12.1 737
7 Northwest 12.6 13.1 15.3 N/A N/A N/A
  7-Carrier Total 13.5 13.7 14.9 14.7 14.5 24,400

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 11: Low-Cost Airline System* Unit Costs

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Costs (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Expenses per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Low-Cost Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Expenses $(Millions)
1 Southwest 9.7 10.7 10.8 11.4 11.0 2,806
2 Frontier 9.1 9.9 11.1 9.1 11.0 316
3 AirTran 9.0 9.1 9.9 10.6 10.1 632
4 JetBlue 9.0 9.4 9.6 9.8 9.7 845
5 Spirit 7.8 7.9 8.2 8.8 9.2 176
6 Virgin America 8.7 8.6 9.5 9.4 9.2 173
7 Allegiant 7.6 8.3 9.2 8.7 8.9 138
  7-Carrier Total 9.3 9.9 10.3 10.6 10.5 5,086

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 12:  Regional Airline System* Unit Costs

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Costs (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Expenses per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Regional Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Expenses $(Millions)
1 Horizon 17.7 18.0 19.9 20.0 19.6 163
2 American Eagle 16.5 16.2 19.1 19.6 17.1 457
3 Mesa 12.2 12.5 14.1 13.8 13.1 173
4 SkyWest 10.9 9.9 10.4 11.3 10.5 443
5 Atlantic Southeast 12.7 9.1 9.7 10.8 9.2 159
6 Comair 16.8 21.0 15.2 10.8 8.9 93
7 ExpressJet 6.9 6.7 7.1 6.7 6.8 214
  7-Carrier Total 12.4 11.8 12.5 12.0 11.4 1,702

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 13: Passenger Airline System* Unit Revenue

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Revenue (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Revenue Per Available Seat Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline  Group 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Revenue $(Millions)
1 Network 13.4 13.9 14.7 14.6 15.9 26,821
2 Regional 13.4 12.9 13.0 12.5 12.5 1,812
3 Low-Cost 10.0 10.4 10.9 10.8 11.6 5,643
  21-Carrier Total 12.7 13.1 13.8 13.7 14.8 34,276

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 14: Network Airline System* Unit Revenue

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Revenue (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Revenue Per Available Seat Mile)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Network Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Revenue $(Millions)
1 US Airways 15.0 15.0 16.1 16.4 17.6 3,252
2 United 12.7 13.8 14.5 15.0 16.6 5,163
3 Delta 14.8 14.4 15.4 15.1 16.2 8,205
4 Continental 12.7 13.0 13.9 13.8 15.3 3,660
5 American 12.7 13.3 13.7 13.7 14.8 5,669
6 Alaska 12.8 14.1 13.1 13.3 14.3 872
7 Northwest 13.3 14.0 16.0 N/A N/A N/A
  7-Carrier Total 13.4 13.9 14.7 14.6 15.9 26,821

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 15: Low-Cost Airline System* Unit Revenue

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Revenue (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Revenue Per Available Seat Mile

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Low-Cost Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Revenue $(Millions)
1 Southwest 10.2 10.7 11.5 11.6 12.4 3,168
2 AirTran 10.1 9.7 10.3 10.7 11.2 701
3 Frontier 10.1 11.0 9.4 8.4 11.0 316
4 JetBlue 9.8 10.2 10.3 10.3 10.8 940
5 Allegiant 9.9 9.7 10.6 10.9 10.3 160
6 Virgin America 8.0 8.9 10.6 8.3 9.8 184
7 Spirit 9.4 9.2 10.4 10.1 9.1 173
  7-Carrier Total 10.0 10.4 10.9 10.8 11.6 5,643

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 16: Regional Airline System* Unit Revenue

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Unit Revenue (Cents Per ASM)

(Operating Revenue Per Available Seat Mile)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Regional Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Operating Revenue $(Millions)
1 Horizon 19.1 20.8 20.8 20.0 20.5 171
2 American Eagle 17.8 18.4 20.6 19.6 18.5 494
3 Mesa 12.7 13.2 14.2 14.2 14.5 191
4 SkyWest 11.9 10.9 11.2 11.3 11.3 476
5 Atlantic Southeast 13.7 10.2 10.5 10.8 10.0 173
6 Comair 20.1 21.8 14.5 10.8 9.6 101
7 ExpressJet 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.7 6.6 205
  7-Carrier Total 13.4 12.9 13.0 12.3 12.5 1,812

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41, Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 17: Airline System* Passenger Revenue Yield

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Revenue Yield (Cents Per RPM)

(Passenger Revenue per Revenue Passenger Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Airline  Group 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Passenger Revenue $(Millions)
1 Regional 16.6 15.8 16.7 16.6 14.9 1,768
2 Network 11.0 11.2 12.1 12.6 13.0 18,586
3 Low-Cost 11.5 11.4 12.5 12.6 12.9 5,084
  21-Carrier Total 11.4 11.5 12.5 12.9 13.1 25,438

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 18: Network Airline System* Passenger Revenue Yield

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Revenue Yield (Cents Per RPM)

(Passenger Revenue per Revenue Passenger Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Network Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Passenger Revenue $(Millions)
1 United 10.7 11.2 11.9 12.4 13.4 3,533
2 American 11.7 12.0 12.7 13.4 13.3 4,279
3 Alaska 12.6 13.2 12.3 12.4 13.1 665
4 US Airways 10.8 10.9 12.2 12.7 12.9 1,995
5 Continental 11.0 10.9 11.9 12.3 12.8 2,629
6 Delta 10.7 10.7 11.9 12.3 12.6 5,484
7 Northwest 10.6 10.4 11.8 N/A N/A N/A
  7-Carrier Total 11.0 11.2 12.1 12.6 13.0 18,586

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 19: Low-Cost Airline System* Passenger Revenue Yield

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Revenue Yield (Cents Per RPM)

(Passenger Revenue per Revenue Passenger Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Low-Cost Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Passenger Revenue $(Millions)
1 Southwest 12.3 12.5 13.8 14.1 14.5 2,929
2 AirTran 11.2 10.3 11.9 12.4 12.2 634
3 JetBlue 11.0 10.9 11.7 12.1 11.9 850
4 Virgin America 8.6 9.4 9.4 9.9 10.9 168
5 Frontier 10.8 10.3 10.1 8.1 10.0 247
6 Allegiant 8.3 8.5 9.3 9.5 8.9 125
7 Spirit 9.3 8.8 9.4 9.8 8.6 130
  7-Carrier Total 11.5 11.4 12.5 12.6 12.9 5,084

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international

Table 20: Regional Airlines System* Passenger Revenue Yield

Ranked by 2nd Quarter 2010 Revenue Yield (Cents Per RPM)

(Passenger Revenue per Revenue Passenger Mile in cents)

Excel | CSV

2Q 2010 Rank Regional Airlines 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter Passenger Revenue $(Millions)
1 Horizon 24.9 25.8 27.3 27.0 25.8 161
2 American Eagle 23.1 24.4 27.8 27.8 23.6 480
3 Mesa 15.6 16.5 18.6 18.7 17.6 188
4 SkyWest 14.8 13.3 14.1 14.6 13.9 470
5 Comair 25.2 26.0 19.3 15.1 12.2 100
6 Atlantic Southeast 16.7 12.5 13.5 13.8 12.0 172
7 ExpressJet 7.9 7.7 7.9 9.0 7.8 197
  7-Carrier Total 16.6 15.9 16.7 16.3 14.9 1,768

Source: Form 41; Schedule P1.2.  T100; T2 Data

* System = domestic + international




RITA's privacy policies and procedures do not necessarily apply to external web sites.
We suggest contacting these sites directly for information on their data collection and distribution policies.