United Airlines enforces a policy of charging $86 for mid-flight seat changes to premium seats, leading to debates about the fairness and impact of such fees on flights with numerous empty seats. Passengers experience clashing expectations as airlines balance customer service with revenue strategies.
Browsing: Aviation Revenue
The aviation industry is experiencing a shift where ancillary revenue is rising as fares fall. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) like Frontier, Spirit, and Wizz Air are leading, with some airlines earning more from ancillary services than base fares. Global ancillary revenue reached $148 billion in 2024, with traditional airlines seeing a 5.3% rise in per-passenger ancillary income despite fare declines.