Skift Take

Airlines are given slack for the boost in ancillary fees, but cruises and theme parks have long used the same strategy to beef up profits; albeit for more than just an inch of leg room.

The global airline industry is expected to pocket more than $36 billion in passenger fees this year, including charges to check bags, connect to onboard Wi-Fi and purchase food and drinks. That represents about 5.4 percent of the industry’s overall revenue.

But a company that helps maximize airlines’ fees noted in a study last week that many other industries also rely heavily on so-called “ancillary revenue.”

For example, Disney Parks and Resorts gets 49 percent of its revenue from charges other than for park admission, including food and merchandise, according to IdeaWorksCompany in Wisconsin. Norwegian Cruise Line Corp. makes about 30 percent of its revenue from food, drinks and spending at spas and casinos on its ships.

(c)2012 Los Angeles Times. Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com. Distributed by MCT Information Services

smartphone

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: ancillary services, disney, fees, norwegian air

Photo credit: Disney Parks and Resorts make up 49 percent of their revenue for charges other than park admission. Patrick McGarvey / Flickr.com

Up Next

Loading next stories