The top performing airlines are largely low cost carriers, with a couple of global network airlines appearing, when ancillary revenue is expressed on a per passenger basis (Table 3 below). Top producers, from various ancillary revenue sources, by global region are: WOW air $48.87 (Europe & Russia), Spirit $50.97 (Americas), and AirAsia X $33.12 (Asia & South Pacific). The definition of ancillary revenue includes the results produced by a carrier’s frequent flyer program and this can provide a substantial benefit for global airlines such as Qantas and United. For Qantas, a perennial best performer on this list, its Qantas Loyalty segment achieved revenue in excess of AUD $1.5 billion (nearly $1.16 billion) for fiscal year 2017. That’s a stunning $98 per member or almost $39 per passenger.
You can read more in the CarTrawler-sponsored analysis of 2017 Top Airline Ancillary Revenue Rankings which was released on 17th July and is free to download here.