With the recent update from DoT, we were able to refresh one of our fuel models. Our source data comes from the P-12a. The chart shows some variance. The price variance is lower than it appears on the chart. For example, in 2020 the highest cost (Delta) was $1.93 and the lowest (Frontier) was $1.53. And 2020 has seen the lowest fuel costs since 2016.
- Alaska – this airline saw a big decline in costs after 2014 through 2016. Then, with the Virgin America merger, costs rose.
- Allegiant – Operating the MD80s drove fuel costs p, and the switch to Airbus has dropped those costs appreciably. Note they have the second-lowest costs in 2020. This is interesting because the Airbus fleet had the opposite effect at Alaska.
- American – has consistently had a relatively low cost.
- Delta – It may be great to own a refinery, but flying older aircraft pushes fuel costs. Delta went from the middle of the pack to #1 in fuel costs.
- Frontier – There have been some big swings, then a drop to the lowest costs since 2016.
- Hawaiian – Its routes allow for relatively longer flights and this seems to have helped to keep fuel costs low.
- JetBlue – Since 2016 the airline has seen a steady rise in fuel costs.
- Southwest – from being #1 in 2016 and 2017, Southwest has managed to bring itself down to the middle of the pack.
- United – This airline appears to have managed its fuel costs well, consistently being among the lowest.
