Where does the money we pay for a plane ticket actually go? An airline faces many fixed and variable costs, and what remains is often just a few euros per passenger. This means that a single empty seat, a delay, or an unexpected diversion can be enough to turn a flight into a loss.
So how can a €19 ticket keep an airline alive? Below is a clear, structured explanation of where an airline’s money goes, based on typical European short- and medium-haul operations.
*FUEL: 54/189 seats
(& flight operating costs)
Fuel is the single largest expense for airlines. It includes not only jet fuel itself, but also fuel hedging contracts and additional fuel burned during delays, holding patterns, or diversions. Because fuel prices fluctuate constantly, this is also the most unpredictable cost.
*SALARIES: 39/189 seats
Pilots and cabin crew are highly trained professionals whose costs include salaries, overtime, hotels during layovers, and transport. Crew costs are largely fixed and do not decrease when flights are less full.
*OWNERSHIP: 28/189 seats
Most aircraft are leased rather than owned. Airlines pay monthly lease payments or loan interest whether the aircraft flies or stays grounded.
*TAXES: 23/189 seats
These include passenger taxes, security charges, environmental taxes, and other national or local taxes.
*MAINTENANCE: 18/189 seats
(& technical costs)
Aircraft maintenance includes routine line maintenance as well as major scheduled checks. Maintenance is strictly regulated and cannot be postponed, regardless of financial pressure.
*OTHER: 24/189 seats
...
Final takeaway: profit*
Nearly 100% of an airline’s revenue is consumed by costs, leaving only a tiny margin for profit in good years. This is why airlines focus relentlessly on efficiency and additional revenue streams, because in aviation, profit is often just one seat away from loss.
Beyond the revenue from an economy-class ticket, airlines develop additional income streams such as:
- Carrying cargo in the aircraft hold
- Selling business class or premium economy tickets
- Onboard catering and duty-free sales
- …
By strongly focusing on these additional revenue streams, a profit margin that equals just three seats can quickly grow into significantly more.
Find out: Top funfacts about airplanes.
By: Rico Valkenborgh | February 1st, 2026
How airlines make money: why profit is just one seat away
Where does the money we pay for a plane ticket actually go? An airline faces many fixed and variable costs, and what remains is often just a few euros per passenger. This means that a single empty seat, a delay, or an unexpected diversion can be enough to turn a flight into a loss.So how can a €19 ticket keep an airline alive? Below is a clear, structured explanation of where an airline’s money goes, based on typical European short- and medium-haul operations.
Fuel dumping in the sky: why airplanes release kerosene?
Airplanes releasing liters of kerosene into the air during a flight, it sounds strange, but it really does happen. Though rare, it only occurs in emergency situations. So how does it work exactly?
Shocking: This is the route a Ryanair plane flies in just one day
Have you ever wondered what happens with a Ryanair plane in a single day? The answer: a lot. A Boeing 737, the airline’s workhorse, can fly up to 8 flights a day for Ryanair. Read on to discover what goes on behind the scenes of this logistical operation.
The best places to spot planes in the Netherlands and Belgium
Looking for an original day out? Try plane spotting. It might sound a bit nerdy — and to be fair, it kind of is — but there’s a surprising charm in watching aircraft take off and land.Read on and discover the most exciting spotting locations in the Netherlands and Belgium — including practical tips and personal advice.
5 airplane fun facts you should know
Here are five fascinating airplane facts you might not have known, each with an intriguing reason why they exist.
Why not everyone can bring a trolley into the cabin
"Every passenger can store their trolley in the cabin." Something many passengers think, but in reality, it doesn't always work out. The struggle for cabin luggage space, let me explain it to you:
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties