Month-to-month, the number of FTEs rose 0.6 percent from January to February (Table 1A).  The scheduled passenger airlines employed 13.2 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than in February 2014, an increase of 50,247 FTEs (Table 3). 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 65.2 percent of the scheduled passenger airline FTEs reported 3.1 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than in February 2017, an increase of 8,376 FTEs (Tables 7, 8, 9). Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines increased FTEs from February 2017. Month-to-month, the number of network airline FTEs rose 0.2 percent from January to February (Table 1A). The network airlines employed 10.4 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than in February 2014, an increase of 26,583 FTEs (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 2.4 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than in February 2017, an increase of 2,066 FTEs (Tables 10, 11, 12). Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines increased FTEs from February 2017 (Tables 12). Month-to-month, the number of low-cost airline FTEs rose 0.7 percent from January to February (Table 1A). The six low-cost airlines employed 27.0 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than in February 2014, an increase of 18,961 FTEs (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 10 regional carriers reported 3.6 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than the 11 carriers that reported in February 2017, an increase of 1,876 FTEs (Tables 13, 14, 15). Seven regional airlines – PSA Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Envoy Air, Endeavor Air, Horizon Air, Mesa Airlines and Republic Airlines increased FTEs from February 2017.  ExpressJet Airlines, Compass Airlines and GoJet Airlines reported a decrease (Table 15). Month-to-month, the number of regional airline FTEs rose 2.2 percent from January to February (Table 1A). The 10 regional carriers reporting in February 2018 employed 6.0 percent more FTEs in February 2018 than the 15 carriers reporting in February 2014, an increase of 3,032 FTEs (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 65.2 percent of the 432,232 FTEs employed by all scheduled passenger airlines in February, the six low-cost carriers employed 20.6 percent and the 11 regional carriers employed 12.4 percent (Table 4). In comparison, in February 2007, network airlines employed 64.6 percent, six low-cost carriers employed 18 percent and regional carriers employed 15.4 percent (Table 5). 

Top Employers by Group: American employed the most FTEs (100,902) in February among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs (56,835) among low-cost airlines, and SkyWest employed the most FTEs (13,578) among regional airlines. The three airlines with the most FTEs in February – American, United and Delta– employed 61.4 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.                             

Data are compiled from monthly reports filed with BTS by commercial air carriers as of April 12.  Additional airline employment data and previous press releases can be found on the BTS website.  BTS has scheduled release of March passenger airline employment data for May 17.