airline data | IdeaWorksCompany

A Field Guide to the Best of Airline a la Carte – Report

IdeaWorksCompany, the leading global consultant on airline ancillary revenue, has released a new report, A Field Guide to the Best of Airline a la Carte, written by veteran airline industry consultant Jay Sorensen. The report explores how airlines around the world generate significant revenue through optional services such as baggage fees, seat assignments, and onboard […]

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How Airlines Turn Bags, Seats, and Snacks into Billions – Press Release

News & Research, Press Releases / By Jay Sorensen

IdeaWorksCompany, the leading global consultant on airline ancillary revenue, has released a new report, A Field Guide to the Best of Airline a la Carte, written by veteran airline industry consultant Jay Sorensen. Drawing on global data and industry examples, the report examines the strategies airlines use to successfully merchandise ancillary services while maintaining customer

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Will Europe’s planned luggage rules kill the budget airline business model?

Articles about IdeaWorksCompany / By Jay Sorensen

Financial Times Jay Sorensen, an expert on airline charges who runs the IdeaWorks consultancy, warned that such a move would “mess with the income mechanics of a low-cost carrier” resulting in higher fares. He estimates European-based airlines collected $16bn in bag fees last year, with around 60 per cent going to low-cost carriers. While bag

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Global air travel costs ‘cut by 40% in nine years’ as ancillary revenues soar

Articles about IdeaWorksCompany / By Jay Sorensen

Travel Weekly Optional add-ons offered to sustain lower base fares have helped cut the total cost of air travel by roughly 40% since 2016, according to new research. Ancillary revenues from passengers paying extra for items such as baggage, seat selection and onboard food are projected to generate $157 billion this year, up from $148.4

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Mission Possible: Airlines Earn Record Ancillary Revenue While Consumers Enjoy Lower Fares – Press Release

News & Research, Press Releases / By Jay Sorensen

IdeaWorksCompany, the leading global consultant on airline ancillary revenue, projects that airlines worldwide will generate a record $157 billion in ancillary revenue in 2025, up from $148.4 billion in 2024, and dramatically higher than $67.4 billion for 2016. The IdeaWorks Global Estimate of Ancillary Revenue attributes this increase to steady passenger growth and the widespread

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Kong vs. Godzilla: US Banks and Airlines Clash Over Traveler Loyalty – Press Release

News & Research, Press Releases / By Jay Sorensen

New IdeaWorksCompany report reveals a battle for dominance in America’s $1.1 trillion travel market. American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi are squaring off with the largest US airlines in a colossal struggle for traveler loyalty, according to a new report from IdeaWorksCompany titled Kong vs. Godzilla: US Banks and Airlines Fight for Traveler Loyalty. The

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When bargain airfare is no bargain: airline fees hit all-time high

Articles about IdeaWorksCompany / By Jay Sorensen

Boston Globe In 2024, airlines collected a record $148 billion in fees. Commonly referred to as ancillary fees, these revenue-generating extra charges come from fees for seat selection, priority boarding, food and drink, luggage, or dedicated overhead space, and even money airlines make from selling frequent flyer miles. The previous record for ancillary fees was

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Air Canada trails global peers in fee revenue, but Aeroplan poised to boost it

Articles about IdeaWorksCompany / By Jay Sorensen

Toronto Star All those checked bags, seating upgrades and onboard snacks you pay for on Air Canada flights are starting to add up for the company. While the country’s biggest airline lags behind other global carriers in revenue from passenger fees, it is poised to catch up after its recent purchase of the Aeroplan rewards

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Airlines set ancillary records, lean into new revenue streams

Articles about IdeaWorksCompany / By Jay Sorensen

PohcusWire Total global ancillary revenue for airlines broke records in 2024, surpassing $148 billion, and carriers continue to grow through the addition of these revenue streams. IdeaWorksCompany published these findings in its 2025 edition of the “Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue,” which revealed traditional airlines were “under pressure with more traffic but lower fares” in 2024.

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Basic Economy Remakes the Airline Business: Consumers Pay More to Avoid Air Travel Misery – Press Release

News & Research, Press Releases, Reports / By Jay Sorensen

The 2025 Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue reveals a cashflow shift: ancillary revenue increased while fares dropped. The 2025 edition of the Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue by IdeaWorksCompany, released today, describes ancillary revenue activities and results for 61 airlines in 2024, continuing the publication’s role as the industry’s singular voice for 18 years. The results in

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