Month-to-month, the number of FTEs rose 0.2 percent from December to January (Table 1A). The scheduled passenger airlines employed 13.0 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than in January 2014, an increase of 49,489 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 3.2 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than in January 2017, an increase of 8,731 FTEs (Tables 7, 8, 9). Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines increased FTEs from January 2017. Month-to-month, the number of network airline FTEs rose 1.1 percent from December to January (Table 1A).

The network airlines employed 10.0 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than in January 2014, an increase of 25,620 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 2.6 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than in January 2017, an increase of 2,215 FTEs (Tables 10, 11, 12). Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines increased FTEs from January 2017 (Tables 12).

Month-to-month, the number of low-cost airline FTEs fell 2.7 percent from December to January (Table 1A). The six low-cost airlines employed 27.0 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than in January 2014, an increase of 18,809 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 11 regional carriers reported 4.6 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than in January 2017, an increase of 2,388 FTEs (Tables 13, 14, 15). Seven regional airlines – PSA Airlines, Envoy Air, SkyWest Airlines, Endeavor Air, Horizon Air, Mesa Airlines and Air Wisconsin increased FTEs from January 2017. ExpressJet Airlines, Compass Airlines, GoJet Airlines and Republic Airlines reported a decrease (Table 15). Month-to-month, the number of regional airline FTEs rose 0.3 percent from December to January (Table 1A). The 11 regional carriers reporting in January 2018 employed 6.7 percent more FTEs in January 2018 than the 15 carriers reporting in January 2014, an increase of 3,393 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 431,308 FTEs employed by all scheduled passenger airlines in January, the six low-cost carriers employed 20.5 percent and the 11 regional carriers employed 12.5 percent (Table 4). In comparison, in January 2007, network airlines employed 64.9 percent, six low-cost carriers employed 17.8 percent and regional carriers employed 15.2 (Table5).

Top Employers by Group: American employed the most FTEs (100,832) in January among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs (56,527) among low-cost airlines, and Envoy employed the most FTEs (12,525) among regional airlines. The three airlines with the most FTEs in January – 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 March 5.  Additional airline employment data and previous press releases can be found on the BTS website.  BTS has scheduled release of February passenger airline employment data for April 19.