CarTrawler-sponsored analysis shows best ancillary revenue results have doubled between 2008 and 2015. Top performer per passenger is Spirit, at $51.80 per customer; Spirit also tops the list for revenue share, at 43 percent of total sales.
DUBLIN, IRELAND & SHOREWOOD, WISCONSIN, USA – IdeaWorksCompany published the first ancillary revenue review of top-performing airlines back in 2008. The top ten airlines generated $8.4 billion that year. Fast forward to 2015 and the top ten tally has leapt to nearly $26 billion.
Now, this group is a billion-dollar club with annual ancillary revenue ranging from just over $1 billion to $6.2 billion, which is #1 carrier United's total.
Top performer per passenger is Spirit, at $51.80 per customer; Spirit also tops the list for revenue share, at 43 percent of total sales.
These results are contained in the new report, 2015 Top 10 Airline Ancillary Revenue Rankings.
Each year IdeaWorksCompany searches for ancillary revenue disclosures for airlines all over the globe. Of the 135 airlines reviewed, 67 reveal figures related to ancillary revenue. The results for all the 67 disclosing airlines will be released in September 2016 as the annual CarTrawler Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue by IdeaWorksCompany.
A companion report, scheduled for November 2016, will use these results to extrapolate total ancillary revenue generated by 180 airlines around the world.
Some mourn the passing of simpler times when a long haul ticket price included the promise of a checked bag, seat assignment, and an oftentimes inedible meal. But consumer behavior supports the popularity of seat-only tickets that deliver a lower price. The array of choices provided by a la carte methods allows these consumers to click and pay a premium for more comfort and convenience. Ancillary revenue represents the safety net which determines whether low fares can coexist with airline profitability.
Even with a dramatic fall in oil prices, ever-present competition requires successful airlines to be ever-innovative in
the quest for revenue. The potential for adding 10%, or even 43%, more revenue to the bottom line ensures ancillary revenue will continue to grow.
“Airlines can now choose from an ever more sophisticated range of ancillary products and technology,” says Michael Cunningham, Chief Commercial Officer at CarTrawler. “The challenge is to ensure that the ancillary benefits do not overshadow the core principles of customer experience that airlines have built their brands on. The opportunity is to deliver a personalised offering that complements their brand promise. Airlines that do this will see ancillary revenue gains, increased brand loyalty and a boost in customer lifetime value.”
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
