Airline fees set to generate $118 billion this year
New data analysis from CarTrawler and IdeaWorksCompany says global airline ancillary revenues will balloon to a massive $118 billion this year.
It includes the added fees above and beyond the basic ticket for a flight, such as baggage, priority seating, and commissions on other related services such as hotel bookings or insurance.
It a huge jump from pre-pandemic 2019 levels when it was $109.5 billion.
CarTrawler and IdeaWorksCompany aggregated the ancillary revenues of 125 airlines globally.
The companies say there are several reasons for the big jump in ancillary revenues.
They say low cost carriers now command a 25% market share globally and most have an unbundled pricing policy with extra fees for most services beyond the airline seat.
Also, assigned seat fees are becoming the norm with many full-service carriers adopting them.
Co-branded airliner credit cards have also contributed to the big rise.
“Ancillary revenue continues to be a consistent and predictable revenue driver for airlines in the face of unpredictable fare price fluctuations,” said Aileen McCormack, CarTrawler CCO.
“Low-cost carriers continue to have the edge on driving ancillary revenue streams, accounting for approximately 31% of market share in this area.”
It comes as the Biden Administration clamps down on hidden fees across many consumer sectors including travel.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt