Running a commercial airline isn’t cheap. Expenses range from fuel and crew labor to aircraft maintenance and airport fees. You may be wondering how the per-flight expenses compare to the revenue generated from each passenger’s ticket.
While the operational costs do indeed play a direct role in determining the ticket prices passengers pay, other factors also influence the price of commercial plane tickets.
Cost of Fuel
Fuel is the biggest expense for airplanes with costs that fluctuate every day just like gasoline. When fuel prices are high, plane tickets may be more expensive. When fuel prices are lower, plane fares may be on the cheaper side.
Two ways that airlines try to preserve fuel is by taking fuel-efficient routes and flying fuel-efficient planes. Whether incremental per-flight savings from these efficiency-maximizing measures are passed on to flyers is another question. More budget-friendly airlines may be more inclined to reflect fuel savings in ticket prices than airlines that emphasize luxury cabin experiences and passenger amenities.
Labor Costs
Labor unions take part in negotiations to establish collective bargaining agreements. These agreements outline the pay scales and working conditions for cabin crew, pilots and ground crews.
Bargaining agreements significantly influence labor costs, which directly impacts the overall expenses of running an airline and, ultimately, per-flight labor expenses.
It’s important to note that ticket prices are based largely on supply and demand, and the competitive nature of the industry has led to narrow margins. This approach to ticket pricing means flyers don’t typically see an immediate and uniform uptick in prices correlating to higher labor costs after new contracts are negotiated.
Aircraft Safety
In order to maintain passenger safety, airlines have to regularly maintain their planes, which also affects the cost of a passenger’s ticket.
Many airlines now choose to invest in newer planes to save on aircraft safety costs. While the cost of a newer aircraft may be greater upfront, lower maintenance expenses will save money in the long term.
Marketing and Distribution
Given the number of domestic carriers competing for a finite number of flyers, airlines invest heavily in marketing and advertising to inform people about their flights and offer deals and promotions. These marketing and distribution costs are also part of what you pay for when you book a flight.
Insurance Costs
Even though air travel is generally safe for passengers, there is always the risk that some sort of accident may occur. Business jets may have liability limits ranging from $5 million to $500 million, while airlines can have liability limits as high as $2 billion.
Workers in aviation, including cabin crew or ground crew, are exposed to potentially dangerous workplace conditions on a regular basis, meaning airlines must carry significant workers’ comp coverage in addition to liability insurance.
Economic Conditions
The overall state of the economy can also impact commercial ticket prices. If the economy is strong and people are traveling more, airlines might charge higher prices since tickets are in demand.
However, during economic decline, supply might outstrip demand, leading airlines to lower their prices so they can still fill seats on planes and continue operating routes.
Competition With Other Airlines
Competition is a big deal when it comes to ticket prices. When multiple airlines fly the same route, prices of tickets become competitive, as airlines strive to offer their customers the best deal.
On routes with limited or no competition, airlines have more control over prices. This means that you might pay more for your ticket.
Government Fees
When you book a flight, you might notice some extra fees and taxes on your ticket. These include the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) fee. These fees are set by the government and add to the overall price of your ticket.
Aircraft Financing
Airlines either buy or lease their planes, which involves interest expenses. The cost of financing can vary depending on market conditions and financial agreements, which can also affect ticket prices.
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All in all, the price passengers pay for commercial tickets is a result of airline expenses, competition and economic conditions. Airlines work hard to balance their costs by providing affordable fares to attract passengers.
Ticket price is far from the only variable that influences the decisions of travelers. Cabin comfort and in-flight experience are important differentiators for modern flyers. Rosen Aviation offers the best personalized entertainment to ensure passengers remain occupied and entertained on their journey.
Give us a call at 1-888-668-4955 or contact us online today to find out more about our displays and cabin technologies.