Quantcast

Airline business models beyond low-cost and legacy carriers

Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Airline business models beyond low-cost and legacy carriers
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Over the past three decades, the commercial aviation industry has been dominated by two primary airline business models: legacy airlines and low-cost carriers. Legacy airlines have historically catered to business travelers, operating large-scale global networks through major hubs. They have a long-standing history in the market and extensive presence.

Low-cost carriers, on the other hand, focus on reducing operational costs to offer cheaper tickets. These airlines often charge additional fees for services like checked baggage and seat assignments.

Despite the prominence of these two models, other unique airline business models exist today. One such model is the hybrid carrier, which combines elements of both legacy and low-cost carriers. Hybrid carriers offer slightly discounted fares while providing comfortable inflight experiences. They tend to operate leisure-oriented networks serving high-volume vacation destinations and typically have a few hubs rather than point-to-point models.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Examples of hybrid carriers include JetBlue and Alaska Airlines in the US, Condor in Europe, Azul in Brazil, and WestJet in Canada. These airlines often emerged from older low-cost models but now offer more benefits like free inflight Wi-Fi or checked bags.

Another model is ultra-premium airlines that cater entirely to premium travelers with all-business class cabins. French carrier La Compagnie is a prominent example of this model, operating routes between France and the United States.

Regional subcontractors also play a significant role in the industry. SkyWest Airlines is one such profitable regional carrier that operates subcontracted flights for US-based legacy carriers under brands like Delta Connection, United Express, and American Eagle.

Lastly, general tour operators and holiday airlines market entire vacations rather than just flights. The TUI Group exemplifies this model by owning hotels, travel agencies, cruise lines, retail shops, and multiple airlines. However, this model has been declining due to competition from personalized travel experiences like Airbnb.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Francesco Sciortino will join the Executive Board of Lufthansa Airlines as Hub Manager for Frankfurt starting September 1, 2025.

Jul 31, 2025

Eurowings reported stable performance for the first half of 2025, operating 77,000 flights and transporting over 10 million passengers.

Jul 31, 2025

Alaska Airlines' Global Getaways offers savings of up to 50% on award redemptions to select international destinations, starting at just 12,500 miles.

Jul 31, 2025

The Lufthansa Group reported a 27 percent increase in Adjusted EBIT for the second quarter of 2025, reaching 871 million euros compared to 686 million euros in the same period last year.

Jul 31, 2025

Ericelda Melendez has been recognized for her leadership and teamwork at Flying Food Group's LAI facility.

Jul 31, 2025

Our facility in Denver recently marked a significant milestone by celebrating 11 years of dedicated service from Armando de Santiago.

Jul 31, 2025