798 million passengers made 2015 a record year for U.S. airlines
There were 798.4 million passengers on U.S. airlines in 2015, a new record that surpasses the previous high of 769.6 million in 2007.
Last year also set a record for load factor, which measures how many available seats on scheduled flights had passengers in them. So not only are there more passengers than ever on U.S. airlines, but planes are also more full.
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The load factor in 2015 was 83.8%, up from 83.4% in 2014, the previous record year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Airlines are reaping the rewards of more efficient schedules and the industry's successful move toward adding more ancillary — or extra — fees, for everything from seat assignments to baggage to soda.
Airlines' ancillary revenue increased about 69% from 2011 to 2014, and now brings in about $40 billion annually, according to data provided by Concur. So while average airfare in 2015 is $5 less than average airfare in 2011, the average additional revenue per passenger is now more than $17.
That's an average of $17 — for almost 800 million passengers.
Domestically, there were 696.2 passengers on U.S. airlines, up from the previous high of 679.2 million in 2007. And internationally, there were 102.2 million passengers — up from 99.9 million in 2014. As Matthew McConaughey might say; airlines are doing alright, alright, alright.
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