The CarTrawler Worldwide Estimate of Ancillary Revenue

Airline Ancillary Revenue Nears Pre-Pandemic Level with a 56% Increase to $102.8 Billion for 2022

The CarTrawler global estimate reveals the “double benefit” of ancillary revenue; it provides needed income for airlines and delivers overall lower costs for consumers.

Dublin, Ireland & Shorewood, Wisconsin, 15 November 2022:  CarTrawler, the leading provider of online car rental distribution systems, and IdeaWorksCompany, the foremost consultant on ancillary revenue, project airline ancillary revenue will increase to $102.8 billion worldwide in 2022, compared to $65.8 billion in 2021 and the $109.5 billion record of 2019.  The CarTrawler Worldwide Estimate of Ancillary Revenue represents an increase built upon a 2022 passenger jump, with consumer support for a la carte services and co-branded credit cards showing gains. 

Key findings from the report:

• In 2022, ancillary revenue reached $102.8 billion, a 56% increase on 2021.
• Typically, about 45% of consumers choose to spend more by adding services such as checked baggage, large carry-on bags, advance seat assignment, priority boarding, food and beverages, and Wifi access. 
• Ancillary revenue components provide a layer of stability in the sometimes turbulent world of a global business. 
• The best ancillary revenue practitioners offer ‘good, better, best’ options to customers, fully disclose the pricing of individual items and automatically refund optional extras which the airline fails to provide during travel as well as compensate travelers for inconveniences experienced.