Month-to-month, the number of FTEs was virtually unchanged from July to August (Table 1A). July (428,209 FTEs) had previously been the highest monthly total since January 2005. Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site. 

The four network airlines that collectively employ 64.9 percent of the scheduled passenger airline FTEs reported 2.2 percent more FTEs in August 2017 than in August 2016 (Tables 7, 8, 9).  American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines increased FTEs from August 2016.   Month-to-month, the number of network airline FTEs fell 0.1 percent from July to August (Table 1A).

The network airlines employed 8.7 percent more FTEs in August 2017 than in August 2013 (Tables 8, 9). Network airlines operate a significant portion of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights to down-line destinations or spoke cities.

The six low-cost carriers reported 7.0 percent more FTEs in August 2017 than in August 2016 (Tables 10, 11, 12). Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Virgin America, and Southwest Airlines increased FTEs from July 2016 (Table 12). Month-to-month, the number of low-cost airline FTEs rose 0.2 percent from July to August (Table 1A). The six low-cost airlines employed 29.5 percent more FTEs in August 2017 than in August 2013 (Tables 11, 12).  Low-cost airlines operate under a low-cost business model, with infrastructure and aircraft operating costs below the overall industry average.

The 11 regional carriers reported 3.1 percent more FTEs in August 2017 than in August 2016 (Tables 13, 14, 15).  Eight regional airlines – PSA Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Envoy Air, Endeavor Air, Horizon Air, Republic Airlines, GoJet, and Mesa Airlines increased FTEs from August 2016. ExpressJet, Air Wisconsin and Compass Airlines reported a decrease (Table 15). Month-to-month, the number of regional airline FTEs rose 0.3 percent from July to August (Table 1A). The 11 regional carriers reporting in August 2017 employed 6.3 percent more FTEs in August 2017 than the 15 carriers reporting in August 2013 (Tables 14, 15). Regional carriers typically provide service from small cities, using primarily regional jets to support the network carriers’ hub and spoke systems.                            

Carrier Groups: The four network airlines employed 64.9 percent of the 428,399 FTEs employed by all scheduled passenger airlines in August, the six low-cost carriers employed 20.9 percent and the 11 regional carriers employed 12.3 percent (Table 4). In comparison, in August 2006, network airlines employed 65.5 percent of the FTEs, six low-cost carriers employed 17.6 percent and regional carriers employed 14.7 percent (Table 5).

Top Employers by Group: American employed the most FTEs (100,697) in August among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs (55,434) among low-cost airlines, and Envoy employed the most FTEs (11,838) among regional airlines. The three airlines with the most FTEs in July – American, United and Delta – employed 62.0 percent of the month’s total passenger airline FTEs (Tables 3, 6).

Reporting Notes

Airlines that operate at least one aircraft that has more than 60 seats or the capacity to carry a payload of passengers, cargo and fuel weighing more than 18,000 pounds must report monthly employment statistics.

The “Other Carrier” category generally reflects those airlines that operate within specific niche markets such as the Hawaiian Islands served by Hawaiian Airlines and Island Air Hawaii.                            

Data are compiled from monthly reports filed with BTS by commercial air carriers as of Oct. 17,  Additional airline employment data and previous press releases can be found on the BTS website.  BTS has scheduled release of September 2017 passenger airline employment data for Nov. 17.