US airlines lose $1.2 billion in first quarter 2023, an improvement over first quarter 2022

1Q 2023 Results for All 26 Scheduled U.S. Passenger Airlines

U.S. scheduled passenger airlines reported a first-quarter 2023 after-tax net loss of $1.2 billion and a pre-tax operating gain of $32 million.

One year earlier, in the first quarter of 2022, the airlines reported an after-tax net loss of $5.1 billion and a pre-tax operating loss of $5.2 billion.

After-tax net income

• $1.2 billion loss in 1Q 2023
• Compared to $2.1 billion gain in 4Q 2022
• Compared to $5.1 billion loss in 1Q 2022

Pre-tax operating profit

• $32 million gain in 1Q 2023
• Compared to $3.7 billion gain in 4Q 2022
• Compared to $5.2 billion loss in 1Q 2022

Total 1Q 2023 operating revenue: $52.9 billion

Share of total 1Q 2023 operating revenue

• Fares: $39.5 billion, 74.6%, compared to 68.9% in 1Q 2022
• Baggage fees: $1.7 billion, 3.3%, compared to 3.7% in 1Q 2022
• Reservation change fees: $256 million, 0.5%, compared to 0.6% in 1Q 2022

Fees are included for calculations of net income, operating revenue and operating profit or loss.

Total 1Q 2023 operating expenses: $52.9 billion:

Share of total 1Q 2023 operating expenses

• Fuel: $12.0 billion, 22.6%, compared to 19.5% in 1Q 2022
• Labor: $17.7 billion, 33.4%, compared to 34.2% in 1Q 2022

Domestic operations, includes 26 U.S. airlines

After-tax domestic net profit (net income)

• $1.3 billion loss in 1Q 2023
• Compared to $1.3 billion gain in 4Q 2022
• Compared to $3.5 billion loss in 1Q 2022

Pre-tax domestic operating profit

• $403 million loss in 1Q 2023
• Compared to $2.7 billion gain in 4Q 2022
• Compared to $3.6 billion loss in 1Q 2022

1Q 2023 domestic operating revenue: $40.4 billion

Share of total 1Q 2023 domestic operating revenue

• Fares: $29.2 billion, 72.4%, compared to 68.3% in 1Q 2022
• Baggage fees: $1.4 billion, 3.5%, compared to 3.7% in 1Q 2022
• Reservation change fees: $219 million, 0.5%, compared to 0.6% in 1Q 2022

Fees are included for calculations of net income, operating revenue and operating profit or loss.

1Q 2023 domestic operating expenses: $40.8 billion, of which:

Share of total 1Q 2023 domestic operating expenses

• Fuel: $8.6 billion, 21.0%, compared to 18.0% in 1Q 2022
• Labor: $13.6 billion, 33.4%, compared to 33.9% in 1Q 2022

International operations, includes 20 U.S. airlines

After-tax international net profit (net income)

• $53 million gain in 1Q 2023
• Compared to $782 million gain in 4Q 2022
• Compared to $1.6 billion loss in 1Q 2022

Pre-tax international operating profit

• $436 million gain in 1Q 2023
• Compared to $982 million gain in 4Q 2022
• Compared to $1.6 billion loss in 1Q 2022

1Q 2023 international operating revenue: $12.5 billion, of which:

Share of 1Q 2023 international operating revenue

• Fares: $10.2 billion, 81.8%, compared to 71.3% in 1Q 2022
• Baggage fees: $323 million, 2.6%, compared to 3.8% in 1Q 2022
• Reservation change fees: $37 million, 0.3%, compared to 0.4% in 1Q 2022

Fees are included for calculations of net income, operating revenue and operating profit or loss.

1Q 2023 international operating expenses: $12.1 billion, of which:

Share of 1Q 2023 international operating expenses

• Fuel: $3.4 billion, 28.2%, compared to 25.4% in 1Q 2022
• Labor: $4.0 billion, 33.5%, compared to 35.6% in 1Q 2022

1st Quarter Margins

Net margin is the net income or loss as a percentage of operating revenue. Operating margin is the operating profit or loss as a percentage of operating revenue.

Systemwide

Net income margin:

• -2.3% in 1Q2023
• Compared to -13.1% in 1Q2022

Operating margin:

• 1% in 1Q2023
• Compared to -13.3% in 1Q2022

Domestic

Net income margin:

• -3.2% in 1Q2023
• Compared to -11.1% in 1Q2022

Operating margin:

• -1.0% in 1Q2023
• Compared to -11.4% in 1Q2022

International

Net income margin:

• 4% in 1Q2023
• Compared to -21.7% in 1Q2022

Operating margin:

• 5% in 1Q2023
• Compared to -21.0% in 1Q2022