The final figures are in for airline profits (and losses) for 2009 for the nine largest airlines in the U.S. Here is the final line-up. The big legacy carriers didn’t do so well as they continue losing money and marketshare. But they did better than in 2008. Low cost carriers won the yearly profits.
AirTran +$135 million (profit)
Alaska Air +$122 million (profit)
Southwest +$99 million (profit)
JetBlue +$58 million (profit)
USAirways -$205 million (loss)
Continental -$282 million (Loss)
United Airlines – $651 million (loss)
Delta -$1.2 billion (loss)
American -$1.5 billion (loss)
The only carrier to actually carry more passengers in 2009 compared to 2008 was Southwest Airlines. Their load factor jumped from 71.2 percent in 2008 to 76 percent in 2009.
I think Southwest’s “bags fly free” marketing gambit is paying off slowly but surely. It seems Southwest is focused on building their brand and network for the long term, while limiting short-term money grabs.
Across the Atlantic, the airline everyone loves to hate, Ryanair showed improved results and their CEO is forecasting a profit in the $300 million range with more money from airfares and less money from ancillary fees.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
