U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 386,912 workers in November 2014, 1.5 percent more than in November 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. November was the 12th consecutive month that full-time equivalent (FTE) employment for U.S. scheduled passenger airlines was higher than the same month of the previous year (Tables 1, 2, 3).

Scheduled Passenger Airline Full-Time Equivalent Employees,
Month of November, 1990-2014

The November 2014 FTE total for scheduled passenger airlines was 5,688 more than in November 2013 (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 five network airlines that collectively employ two-thirds of the scheduled passenger airline FTEs reported 0.4 percent more FTEs in November 2014 than in November 2013 (Table 7). Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and US Airways increased FTEs from November 2013 while United Airlines reduced FTEs (Table 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 ­– Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and Virgin America – all reported increases in FTEs from November 2013 (Table 12). Low-cost airlines operate under a low-cost business model, with infrastructure and aircraft operating costs below the overall industry average.

Among the 13 regional carriers, eight – PSA Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, Envoy Airlines, Compass Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest Airlines and Shuttle America – reported increased employment levels from November 2013. The others reported decreases (Table 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 five network airlines employed 66.4 percent of the total number of FTEs employed by all scheduled passenger airlines in November, the six low-cost carriers employed 18.9 percent and the 13 regional carriers employed 13.1 percent (Table 4). The three airlines with the most FTEs in November – United, Delta and American – employed 55.6 percent of the month’s total passenger airline FTEs (Tables 3, 6).

Top Employers by Group: United employed the most FTEs (78,890) in November among the network airlines, Southwest employed the most FTEs (46,299) among low-cost airlines, and Envoy employed the most FTEs (11,661) among regional airlines. Four of the top five employers in the industry are network airlines (Table 6). 

Airline Mergers: Airlines that announce mergers typically begin joint reporting following U.S. Department of Transportation approval and issuance of a single economic certificate.  Southwest and AirTran Airways began joint reporting of their financial data, including employment numbers, in April 2012 under a waiver granted by the Department, while continuing to report all other data as separate carriers. American and US Airways, following their December 2013 merger announcement, will report separately until the Department approves single carrier reporting and a single economic certificate is issued.

In March 2014 (for January 2014 data), the Department began displaying combined on-time performance data, mishandled baggage data, oversales data and complaint data in its Air Travel Consumer Report for Southwest and Air Tran, as well as for American and U.S. Airways, because both sets of airlines are sufficiently integrated that consumers perceive them as a single airline. The Air Travel Consumer Report also continues to display the separate performance data of each of these airlines and will continue to do so until a single economic certificate is issued.

Network Airlines
Recent Changes: The network airlines employed 909 more FTEs in November 2014 than in November 2013, a 0.4 percent increase. Four of the five network carriers reported FTE increases from November 2013 while United reported a decrease (Tables 8, 9).

Longer-term Changes: The network airlines employed 143 more FTEs in November 2014 than in November 2010, a 0.1 percent increase.  American (-7.3 percent) reported a decrease in FTE employment from 2010 to 2014 while Alaska (12.9 percent), US Airways (7.0 percent) and Delta (3.2 percent) reported increases. United’s numbers for 2010 and 2014 are not directly comparable because of the intervening merger. United reported 3.7 percent more FTEs in November 2014 than United and Continental Airlines reported separately in November 2010 (Tables 8, 9).

Low-Cost Airlines
Recent Changes: The six low-cost airlines reported 5.2 percent more FTEs as a group from November 2013 to November 2014. All six low-cost airlines reported increases (Table 12).

Longer-term Changes: The low-cost carriers employed 8,355 more FTEs in November 2014 than in November 2010, up 12.9 percent. Spirit reported the largest percentage increase, 107.5 percent, while Frontier was the only low-cost carrier to report a decline, -26.1 percent. November 2014 numbers for Southwest are not directly comparable to 2010 because of the intervening merger. Southwest reported 8.0 percent more FTEs in November 2014 than Southwest and AirTran reported separately in November 2010 (Table 12).

Regional Airlines
Recent Changes: Regional airlines increased FTEs by 1.5 percent in November 2014 compared to November 2013. PSA and Mesa reported the largest percentage increases. Chautauqua Airlines and Air Wisconsin reported the largest percentage decreases (Table 15).

Longer-term Changes: The 13 regional carriers operating in November employed 3.9 percent fewer FTEs in 2014 than the 18 carriers reporting in November 2010.  Air Wisconsin and Horizon reported declines. GoJet reported the biggest four-year percentage gain. The ExpressJet/Atlantic Southeast combination reported 4.0 percent fewer FTEs in November 2014 than the two airlines reported separately in November 2010. The Endeavor/Mesaba combination reported 36.8 percent fewer FTE’s in November 2014 than the two airlines reported separately in November 2010 (Table 15).

Envoy operated as American Eagle prior to April 2014. Endeavor operated as Pinnacle prior to November 2013.

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 Jan. 14.  Additional airline employment data and previous press releases can be found on the BTS website. BTS has scheduled release of December passenger airline employment data for Feb. 19.

Table 1: Change from Previous Year in Scheduled Passenger Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Airline Group

Most recent 13 months - percent change compared to same month the previous year

	Network Airlines	Low-Cost Airlines	Regional Airlines	All Passenger Airlines**
Nov 2012-Nov 2013	-0.1	-0.1	-0.5	-0.1
Dec 2012-Dec 2013	0.3	-0.6	-0.5	0.3
Jan 2013-Jan 2014	0.4	0.3	-0.4	0.5
Feb 2013-Feb 2014	0.1	0.7	0.5	0.4
Mar 2013-Mar 2014	0.6	0.8	0.9	0.8
Apr 2013-Apr 2014	0.4	1.5	2.3	1.0
May 2013-May 2014	0.5	1.8	2.4	1.1
Jun 2013-Jun 2014	0.3	2.2	1.9	0.9
Jul 2013-Jul 2014	0.4	2.5	3.5	1.3
Aug 2013-Aug 2014	0.1	3.0	2.5	1.0
Sep 2013-Sep 2014	0.4	2.9	1.9	1.1
Oct 2013-Oct 2014	0.3	3.8	-0.2	0.9
Nov 2013-Nov 2014	0.4	5.2	1.5	1.5

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers. Other Carriers generally operate within specific niche markets. They are: Hawaiian Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and Island Air Hawaii.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Note: See Table 2 for all passenger airlines, Table 7 for Network, Table 10 for Low-Cost and Table 13 for Regional.

Table 2: Change from Previous Year in Scheduled Passenger Airline* Full-time Equivalent Employees**

Percent change compared to same month the previous year

Month	2011	2012	2013	2014
January	-0.4	2.2	-1.5	0.5
February	0.2	2.2	-1.7	0.4
March	0.6	2.2	-1.9	0.8
April	1.1	1.9	-1.8	1.0
May	1.3	1.6	-1.8	1.1
June	1.4	1.2	-1.7	0.9
July	1.5	1.6	-2.2	1.3
August	2.0	0.2	-1.5	1.0
September	2.1	-0.6	-0.9	1.1
October	2.2	-1.1	-0.3	0.9
November	2.5	-1.5	0.1	1.5
December	2.4	-1.9	0.3

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.

** Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Table 3: Scheduled Passenger Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month 2010-2014

Month	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
						2010-2014	2013-2014
January	379,388	377,728	385,965	380,042	381,819	0.6	0.5
February	378,020	378,616	387,084	380,414	381,985	1.0	0.4
March	377,261	379,696	387,962	380,540	383,575	1.7	0.8
April	376,204	380,391	387,452	380,487	384,265	2.1	1.0
May	376,957	381,960	388,199	381,372	385,619	2.3	1.1
June	378,297	383,475	388,160	381,672	385,243	1.8	0.9
July	378,060	383,863	390,032	381,299	386,243	2.2	1.3
August	377,835	385,578	386,181	380,486	384,478	1.8	1.0
September	377,676	385,782	383,596	380,165	384,439	1.8	1.1
October	378,114	386,587	382,334	381,178	384,700	1.7	0.9
November	380,626	386,550	380,943	381,224	386,912	1.7	1.5
December	377,729	386,932	379,576	380,809
12-Month Average	378,014	383,097	385,624	380,807
Jan-Nov Average	378,040	382,748	386,173	380,807	384,480	1.7	1.0

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.

** Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Table 4: Airline Group Full-time Equivalent Employees*, November 2010-2014

	Network	Low-Cost	Regional	All Passenger Airlines**
2010	256,680	64,657	52,661	380,626
2011	260,318	68,450	52,954	386,550
2012	256,141	69,441	50,100	380,943
2013	255,914	69,402	49,851	381,224
2014	256,823	73,014	50,605	386,912
Pct. Change 2010-2014	0.1%	12.9%	-3.9%	1.7%
Percent of Total Passenger Airline Employees in 2014	66.4%	18.9%	13.1%

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.

Table 5: Year-to-Year Change in Airline Group Full-time Equivalent Employees*, November 2010-2014

Percent change in FTEs from the same month of the previous year

	Network	Low-Cost	Regional	All Passenger Airlines**
2010	-1.9	3.2	-1.0	-0.6
2011	2.8	5.9	0.6	2.5
2012	-1.6	1.4	-5.4	-1.5
2013	-0.1	-0.1	-0.5	0.1
2014	0.4	5.2	1.5	1.5

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** Includes network, low-cost, regional and other carriers.

Table 6: Top 10 Airlines, November 2014

Ranked by Number of Full-Time Equivalent Employees*

Rank	Airline	Total FTE Employees	Carrier Group**	Top 10 Airlines November 2013
1	United	78,890	Network	United
2	Delta	75,487	Network	Delta
3	American	60,614	Network	American
4	Southwest	46,299	Low-Cost	Southwest
5	US Airways	31,700	Network	US Airways
6	JetBlue	13,677	Low-Cost	JetBlue
7	Envoy**	11,661	Regional	American Eagle
8	Alaska	10,132	Network	SkyWest
9	SkyWest	9,774	Regional	Alaska
10	ExpressJet	8,800	Regional	ExpressJet

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** Envoy operated as American Eagle prior to April 2014

*** See Table 9 for Network, Table 12 for Low-Cost and Table 15 for Regional.

Table 7: Network Airline Year-to-Year Change in Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year

Percent change compared to same month of the previous year

	2011	2012	2013	2014
January	-0.9	1.7	-2.1	0.4
February	-0.2	1.4	-1.9	0.1
March	0.3	1.3	-2.2	0.6
April	0.6	1.4	-2.0	0.4
May	0.9	1.4	-2.0	0.5
June	0.9	1.1	-1.8	0.3
July	1.0	0.8	-1.7	0.4
August	1.6	-0.2	-1.5	0.1
September	1.6	-0.7	-1.0	0.4
October	1.6	-1.1	-0.6	0.3
November	2.4	-1.6	-0.1	0.4
December	1.9	-2.2	0.4

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Table 8: Network Airlines Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month 2010-2014

Month	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
						2010-2014	2013-2014
January	257,787	255,433	259,749	254,377	255,518	-0.9	0.4
February	256,756	256,331	259,971	254,955	255,158	-0.6	0.1
March	256,504	257,355	260,666	254,871	256,342	-0.1	0.6
April	255,697	257,329	260,876	255,673	256,732	0.4	0.4
May	255,518	257,819	261,426	256,274	257,578	0.8	0.5
June	256,576	258,782	261,539	256,791	257,491	0.4	0.3
July	256,373	258,839	260,982	256,474	257,541	0.5	0.4
August	256,122	260,119	259,617	255,800	256,095	0.0	0.1
September	255,752	259,782	257,875	255,194	256,133	0.1	0.4
October	255,890	260,056	257,270	255,741	256,409	0.2	0.3
November	256,680	260,318	256,140	255,914	256,823	0.1	0.4
December	254,912	259,821	254,065	255,155
12-Month Average	256,214	258,499	259,181	255,602
Jan-Nov Average	256,332	258,378	259,646	255,642	256,529	0.1	0.3

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Table 9: Network Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees*, November 2010-2014

(FTEs for November of each year. Ranked by November 2014 FTEs)

Rank	Airline	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
							2010-2014	2013-2014
1	UA/CO Combined	76,080	80,997	82,381	81,880	78,890	3.7	-3.7
	United**	43,609	43,761	82,381	81,880	78,890	N/A	-3.7
	Continental**	35,947	37,236	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	Delta	73,172	73,369	72,712	73,575	75,487	3.2	2.6
3	American	65,361	66,357	61,457	59,462	60,614	-7.3	1.9
4	US Airways	29,615	30,651	30,383	31,498	31,700	7.0	0.6
5	Alaska	8,976	8,944	9,208	9,499	10,132	12.9	6.7
	Total	256,680	260,318	256,141	255,914	256,823	0.1	0.4

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** United Airlines and Continental Airlines merged and began reporting combined numbers in January 2012.

Table 10: Low-Cost Airline Year-to-Year Change in Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year

Percent change compared to same month of the previous year

Month	2011	2012	2013	2014
January	2.2	5.7	1.1	0.3
February	2.3	6.4	0.2	0.7
March	2.3	7.1	-0.1	0.8
April	4.0	5.7	-0.3	1.5
May	4.1	5.3	-0.3	1.8
June	5.0	4.0	-0.6	2.2
July	5.3	3.5	-0.4	2.5
August	5.7	2.5	0.0	3.0
September	5.9	2.5	-0.2	2.9
October	6.2	1.9	-0.1	3.8
November	5.9	1.4	-0.1	5.2
December	6.6	1.3	-0.6

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Table 11: Low-Cost Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month 2010-2014

	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
						2010-2014	2013-2014
January	63,600	64,978	68,684	69,464	69,693	9.6	0.3
February	63,845	65,321	69,473	69,630	70,135	9.9	0.7
March	63,783	65,273	69,886	69,853	70,384	10.3	0.8
April	63,571	66,114	69,861	69,677	70,751	11.3	1.5
May	63,933	66,553	70,053	69,818	71,095	11.2	1.8
June	64,046	67,261	69,969	69,574	71,074	11.0	2.2
July	63,982	67,373	69,756	69,510	71,272	11.4	2.5
August	64,025	67,682	69,380	69,286	71,387	11.5	3.0
September	64,114	67,875	69,573	69,426	71,428	11.4	2.9
October	64,299	68,269	69,552	69,496	72,110	12.1	3.8
November	64,659	68,450	69,441	69,402	73,014	12.9	5.2
December	64,652	68,887	69,781	69,365
12-Month Average	64,042	67,003	69,617	69,542
Jan-Nov Average	63,987	66,832	69,603	69,558	71,122	11.2	2.2

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Note: Percent changes and averages based on numbers prior to rounding.

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Table 12: Low-Cost Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees*, November 2010-2014

(FTEs for November of each year. Ranked by November 2014 FTEs)

Rank		2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
							2010-2014	2013-2014
1	WN/FL Combined	42,879	45,605	45,953	44,911	46,299	8.0	3.1
	Southwest**	35,005	37,592	45,953	44,911	46,299	N/A	3.1
	AirTran	7,874	8,013	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	JetBlue	11,285	12,103	12,465	12,990	13,677	21.2	5.3
3	Spirit	2,143	2,432	2,888	3,521	4,447	107.5	26.3
4	Frontier	4,972	4,658	3,950	3,444	3,672	-26.1	6.6
5	Virgin America	1,766	2,091	2,407	2,488	2,521	42.8	1.3
6	Allegiant	1,614	1,562	1,779	2,048	2,398	48.6	17.1
	Total	64,659	68,451	69,442	69,402	73,014	12.9	5.2

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways merged and began reporting combined employment numbers in April 2012.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Table 13: Regional Airline Year-to-Year Change in Full-time Equivalent Employees* from the Previous Year

Percent change compared to same month of the previous year

Month	2011	2012	2013	2014
January	0.4	0.1	-4.1	-0.4
February	0.9	0.8	-5.0	0.5
March	1.8	0.2	-4.6	0.9
April	2.1	-1.5	-3.8	2.3
May	1.6	-2.2	-4.5	2.4
June	1.5	-2.5	-4.4	1.9
July	1.9	-3.3	-6.3	3.5
August	2.1	-2.3	-5.1	2.5
September	2.0	-4.3	-3.0	1.9
October	2.1	-6.0	-0.8	-0.2
November	0.6	-5.4	-0.5	1.5
December	1.5	-5.4	-0.5

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Table 14: Regional Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees* by Month 2010-2014

	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
						2010-2014	2013-2014
January	52,531	52,764	52,796	50,640	50,425	-4.0	-0.4
February	51,952	52,409	52,831	50,191	50,458	-2.9	0.5
March	51,522	52,468	52,581	50,181	50,623	-1.7	0.9
April	51,502	52,596	51,811	49,387	50,526	-1.9	2.3
May	52,074	52,930	51,746	49,424	50,633	-2.8	2.4
June	52,210	52,984	51,664	49,415	50,336	-3.6	1.9
July	52,229	53,197	52,715	49,387	51,107	-2.1	3.5
August	52,179	53,284	52,082	49,434	50,671	-2.9	2.5
September	52,322	53,361	51,082	49,546	50,512	-3.5	1.9
October	52,402	53,490	50,305	49,890	49,789	-5.0	-0.2
November	52,661	52,954	50,100	49,851	50,605	-3.9	1.5
December	52,549	53,328	50,426	50,191
12-Month Average	52,178	52,980	51,678	49,795
Jan-Nov Average	52,144	52,949	51,792	49,759	50,517	-3.1	1.5

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

Table 15: Regional Airline Full-time Equivalent Employees*, November 2010-2014

(FTEs for November of each year. Ranked by November 2014 FTEs)

Rank		2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Percent Change
							2010-2014	2013-2014
1	Envoy**	9,456	10,162	10,616	11,099	11,661	23.3	5.1
2	SkyWest	9,063	9,468	9,283	9,595	9,774	7.8	1.9
3	XE/EV Combined	9,171	9,293	8,824	9,085	8,800	-4.0	-3.1
	ExpressJet***	5,434	5,441	8,824	9,085	8,800	N/A	-3.1
	Atlantic Southeast***	3,737	3,852	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
4	9E/XJ Combined	5,619	5,637	4,750	3,987	3,550	-36.8	-11.0
	Endeavor****	3,447	3,745	4,750	3,987	3,550	N/A	-11.0
	Mesaba****	2,172	1,892	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
5	Republic	2,104	1,972	2,115	2,633	3,066	45.7	16.4
6	Horizon	2,920	2,845	2,703	2,724	2,855	-2.2	4.8
7	Air Wisconsin	2,520	2,580	2,565	2,468	1,895	-24.8	-23.2
8	Shuttle America	2,064	1,835	1,575	1,770	2,182	5.7	23.3
9	Mesa	1,298	1,575	1,857	1,988	1,991	53.4	0.2
10	PSA	998	1,039	1,090	1,102	1,719	72.2	56.0
11	Compass	950	1,022	1,099	1,142	1,199	26.2	5.0
12	GoJet	567	661	1,051	1,122	1,097	93.5	-2.2
13	Chautauqua#	N/A	N/A	1,307	1,136	816	N/A	-28.2
14	Executive##	1,775	1,802	1,267	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
15	Colgan###	1,391	1,101	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
16	Comair####	2,643	1,965	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
17	Lynx#####	122	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Total	52,661	52,957	50,103	49,851	50,605	-3.9	1.5

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

* Full-time Equivalent Employee (FTE) calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

** Envoy Air operated as American Eagle prior to April 2014.

*** ExpressJet Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines began reporting combined numbers in January 2012.

**** Endeavor Airlines operated as Pinnacle prior to August 2013. Pinnacle Airlines and Mesaba Airlines began reporting combined numbers in January 2012.

# Effective July 2012 Chautauqua Airlines began reporting employment data.

## Effective the end of March 2013, Executive Airlines ceased operations.

### Effective the end of September 2012, Colgan Airlines ceased operations.

#### Effective the end of October 2012, Comair ceased operations.

##### Effective the end of March 2011, Lynx Airlines ceased operations.

N/A: Carriers did not meet the standard for filing, was no longer operating, merged with another operating carrier or failed to file. See previous notes.

Note: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.