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An update to our US airline industry snapshots. Here’s a quick four-pager that gives you a perspective on how the big US airlines have been doing through 1Q25. It’s not current data, but as current as the US DOT enables.
Even if it’s dated, you can see trends. For example, the gradual rundown of the 737 NG fleet as the MAX comes on strong. Use the menus to drill down into the model. The model below is a neat summary. If you have the time to dive very deep, try this one, where you will get lost for hours. It is from the deep dive that we published the charts on this story about Southwest.
US airlines are in the news again for misleading passengers.
The Model
Page 1 provides an overall picture with the chance to drill down using the menus. Page 2 provides another perspective on how well the industry is doing in economic terms; it also has menus..
Page 3 provides a fascinating series of charts. Notice that United flies similar stage lengths to its peers. But it does so noticeably slower, spending more time in-flight. Is the fuel saving worth the operational costs? Notice United’s load factors look good, so perhaps its passengers are oblivious or don’t mind the extra time.
Page 4 provides an interactive experience. Click on the play button to watch the movement over time. Also, click on any balloon to see an airline’s performance over the period. The movement in stage lengths is intriguing and gives rise to a lot of questions.
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