Month-to-month, the number of FTEs rose 0.4 percent from April to May (Table 1A). 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 reported 2.4 percent more FTEs in May 2017 than in May 2016 (Tables 7, 8, 9).  Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines all increased FTEs from May 2016 (Table 9). Month-to-month, the number of network airline FTEs rose 0.3 percent from April to May (Table 1A).

The network airlines employed 8.1 percent more FTEs in May 2017 than in May 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 8.3 percent more FTEs in May 2017 than in May 2016 (Tables 10, 11, 12).  Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Virgin America and Southwest Airlines increased FTEs from May 2016 (Table 12). Month-to-month, the number of low-cost airline FTEs rose 0.9 percent from April to May, rising for the 22nd consecutive month (Table 1A). The six low-cost airlines employed 27.3 percent more FTEs in May 2017 than in May 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 2.5 percent more FTEs in May 2017 than in May 2016 (Tables 13, 14, 15). Eight regional airlines – Endeavor Air, PSA Airlines, Envoy Air, SkyWest Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, Horizon Air, and Compass Airlines – increased FTEs from May 2016.  Both Air Wisconsin and ExpressJet Airlines reported a decrease, while GoJet was unchanged (Table 15). Month-to-month, the number of regional airline FTEs rose 0.7 percent from April to May (Table 1A). The 11 regional carriers reporting in May 2017 employed 4.8 percent more FTEs in May 2017 than the 15 carriers reporting in May 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 65.2 percent of the 425,251 FTEs employed by all scheduled passenger airlines in May, the six low-cost carriers employed 20.9 percent and the 11 regional carriers employed 12.2 percent (Table 4). In comparison, in May 2006, the network airlines employed 65.9 percent of the FTEs, the six low-cost carriers employed 17.3 percent and the regional carriers employed 14.7 percent (Table 5).

Top Employers by Group: American employed the most FTEs (100,528) in May among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs (55,115) among low-cost airlines, and Envoy employed the most FTEs (11,489) among regional airlines. The three airlines with the most FTEs in May – American, United and Delta– employed 62.3 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 July 7. Additional airline employment data and previous press releases can be found on the BTS website.  BTS has scheduled release of June 2017 passenger airline employment data for Aug. 17.