Reports

The latest from IdeaWorksCompany.

Listed below are the most recent posts to the website.  Click on any item title or button to access our latest reports, press releases, and news items.  Or use the menu to the right to browse news, reports, articles featuring IdeaWorksCompany research, and press releases.

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February 21, 2017 – Report

Ancillary Revenue Goes Mobile: the Best Methods Used by the Top 25 Airlines
IdeaWorksCompany finds Air France, Emirates, Indigo, and Ryanair provide great mobile retailing examples. The latest report from IdeaWorksCompany applies the rise of the mobile age to the ancillary revenue revolution. IdeaWorksCompany researched the in-path booking capabilities of the mobile applications offered by the world’s largest 25 airlines. It’s a varied list which includes traditional global network airlines and eight low cost carriers.  This 15-page report is the first installment of the 2017 Thought Leadership Series on Revenue and Loyalty and is sponsored by CarTrawler.

November 8, 2016 – Report

Top Merchandising Innovations to Delight Air Travelers and Boost Profits
IdeaWorksCompany explores how American, AnadoluJet, Eurowings, Jazeera, Virgin Atlantic,
and other airlines are becoming better retailers.  The latest report from IdeaWorksCompany provides a wide variety of examples − covering traditional airlines, low cost carriers, and suppliers from all over the world – to demonstrate unique methods that generate more revenue from the sale of tickets and ancillary revenue activities.

July 20, 2016 – Report

2015 Top 10 Ancillary Revenue Rankings
Every year since 2008, IdeaWorksCompany searches for disclosures of financial results which qualify as ancillary revenue for airlines all over the globe. Annual reports, investor presentations, financial press releases, and quotes attributed to senior executives all qualify as sources in the data collection process. Of the 135 airlines reviewed, 67 were found to reveal financial results related to ancillary revenue.  From this list, total airline revenue and ridership data were collected to determine the top ten airlines in overall ancillary revenue, as a percentage of company revenue, and on a per passenger basis.

March 21, 2016 – Report

Never Say Goodbye; Savvy Airlines Use Email to Sell After Booking
The need for ancillary revenue requires airlines to venture beyond the booking confirmation email. This report follows that path to learn how airlines gain more sales after a booking is made. IdeaWorksCompany assessed the full set of emails sent by six top ancillary revenue airlines to learn how they encourage customers to buy more. Examples from Aer Lingus, AirAsia, easyJet, Ryanair, Spirit, and Vueling provide a global display of these retail skills.

February 22, 2016 – Report

Path to Profits: How the Best Airlines Promote a la Carte Sales in the Booking Path
Website examples from all over the world illustrate best practices on fare displays, baggage pre-pay, seat upgrades, and other top a la carte items.  The latest report from IdeaWorksCompany reviewed the websites of airlines all over the world and details good practices regarding booking paths ─ and also what airlines should avoid.

January 25, 2016 – Report

How Do I Reward Thee? Let Me Count the Ways Dear Traveler
Loyalty is increased through a wide array of methods. To be exact, IdeaWorksCompany identifies six additional loyalty platforms beyond a traditional frequent flier program. Some may operate as replacements for traditional FFPs and others work to increase the loyalty of customers through a combination of rewards and recognition. The latest report issued by IdeaWorksCompany describes the many loyalty choices available, such as coalition programs, subscription plans, and credit-card based rewards.

October 27, 2015 – Report

The Airline Manual for Merchandising
The basic fare with a la carte extras has given way to bundling, branded fares,and the promise of personalized pricing. Visit the websites of leading airline retailers today and you will see a robust display of various pricing methods. Consumers encounter branded fares, service bundles, subscription plans with prices that are fixed, flexible, or dynamic. Someday they will also encounter pricing which is aimed at them as individual consumers. The latest report issued by IdeaWorksCompany is designed to prepare industry professionals for the decision-making required to take merchandising to the next level with examples from the world of airline retail.

June 2, 2015 – Report

Brussels Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, and United Rev Up Their Ancillary Revenue Engines
The most recent ancillary revenue report sponsored by CarTrawler celebrates retail and merchandising innovations that support ancillary revenue. It offers a collection of examples that rely upon technology and training to create a type of mercantile seduction that encourages consumers to open their wallets and spend.  Vendors were invited to share details of client success stories. These were included with other examples, such as JetBlue and Tuifly.com, to create a report filled with services and products that stimulate the imagination and a carrier’s income. The examples in this report demonstrate the revenue power harnessed when companies engage their customers with attractive storefronts, be they in the city center, online, or up in the air.

March 9, 2015 – Report

Airlines Woo Members with Wild, Weird and Wonderful Rewards
IdeaWorksCompany recently reviewed the frequent flier programs of 160 airlines around the world to gather examples of alternative rewards such as unique experiences, event tickets, and retail goods. Beyond the benefit of reducing reward liability, alternative rewards can encourage members to interact more frequently and deeply with the program. In addition, a thoughtful selection of rewards can create a personality for the frequent flier program and ultimately the airline. Does the program wish to be playful, luxurious, or socially aware? Through its review of programs worldwide, IdeaWorksCompany offers examples of 25 alternative rewards ranging from the extravagant to everyday comforts.

February 2, 2015 – Report

Boost Ancillary Revenue Through Empathy, Competence, and Kindness
Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, recently admitted “If I had known being nicer to our customers was going to work so well, I would have done it years ago.” As notable as O’Leary’s epiphany is to the airline industry, it’s worth pointing out that the proven value of empathy, competency, and kindness precedes his recent directives to be nice to customers. The latest report from IdeaWorksCompany explores how airline management teams can work together for the greater good of their customers, employees, and investors.  Call it a back-to-basics mantra, but sometimes in a technology riddled world, we all can benefit from a few therapeutic reminders to reset our moral compasses. By using the inherently human qualities of empathy, competence, and kindness, the report offers advice to airline management teams to boost ancillary revenue.

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