Are airplanes in it for the profit?

[jamie128]

This is going to sound like a terribly stupid question so forgive me, but i know nothing about what im asking so i am likely way off.

In a typical airplane it carries 200 passengers, now if them 200 passengers pay 250 each for the flights that is 50,000 pounds profit. Now the pilot needs to be paid, the staff on board, all the preparation of the plane and the fuel must cost an absolute fortune because it has to meet certain standards.

Also the plane when fully laden must get less than 1MPG surely.

Do airplanes actually make much money?

[sc0tt]

jamie128 said:

In a typical airplane it carries 200 passengers, now if them 200 passengers pay 250 each for the flights that is 50,000 pounds profit

Revenue. Not Profit.

[supertouring]

Typical?

[crofty1984]

Yes, they're in it for the profit.

[jas xjr]

Do not forget the revenue from carrying cargo

[KaraK]

There is money in it certainly but it is getting more difficult:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17053703

[stuttgartmetal]

No.
They do it for the sts and giggles.

[Turbodiesel1690]

I read a while ago that a one way 747 transatlantic flight generates half a million quid - when you consider that it only takes 8 hours, theres money in them thar hills

[Big Fat Fatty]

Aeroplane. Not airplane.

Planes are among the most efficient vehicles we've created, but they measure it against passengers carried/distance traveled/fuel used, which works out to be much more efficient than your average family car.

ETA. Tonnes/hour works better.

[jamie128]

stuttgartmetal said:

No.
They do it for the sts and giggles.

Dont be so sarcastic, i dont think buses/trains make much money its just a service

[ambuletz]

I suppose he means where does the profit come from considering all the expenses (not to mention renting out the plane).
Especiallly on low-cost flights that are about £30.

[DanDC5]

Given the price of rail and bus fares I'd say they make a decent wedge.

[P-Jay]

Yes, the alternative would be they're a huge loss making enterprises set-up for the good of humantiy.

They even give you a basic idea of the breakdown - they mention how much is a fuel surcharge, how much is tax etc on the invoice.

[jamie128]

ambuletz said:

I suppose he means where does the profit come from considering all the expenses (not to mention renting out the plane).
Especiallly on low-cost flights that are about £30.

Yeh i mean planes cost a fortune, for the price we pay it doesent seem like it could cover everything that needs to be paid for, i mean even staff who drive the buses to the airplanes, little things like this.

[onesickpuppy]

jamie128 said:

Dont be so sarcastic, i dont think buses/trains make much money its just a service

First Group made an operating profit of £310m last year. Not bad for 'just a service'.

[zac510]

Don't forget all the tatty perfume they sell too!

[Ultuous]

jamie128 said:

Yeh i mean planes cost a fortune, for the price we pay it doesent seem like it could cover everything that needs to be paid for, i mean even staff who drive the buses to the airplanes, little things like this.

Which is why the budget airlines in particular have moved the game on with their business models and made some of the more established brands struggle to compete (internet booking only to reduce back-office staff, quick turnarounds to avoid having the planes idling on the tarmac, taking unfavourable slots to keep airport charges down, adding to margins by selling luggage as extra/ scratch cards/ food/ gifts/ car hire/ hotels/ insurance etc. etc.)...

[stuttgartmetal]

jamie128 said:

Dont be so sarcastic, i dont think buses/trains make much money its just a service

Really?

Ever visited the planet Earth?

[maxrider]

jamie128 said:

it doesent

Once more for your educational benefit.

'Doesn't' = does not. The apostrophe indicates the missing 'o'

Likewise 'shouldn't', 'wasn't', 'isn't', 'couldn't'.

It's ok there's no charge for my time.

[davepoth]

jamie128 said:

ambuletz said:

I suppose he means where does the profit come from considering all the expenses (not to mention renting out the plane).
Especiallly on low-cost flights that are about £30.

Yeh i mean planes cost a fortune, for the price we pay it doesent seem like it could cover everything that needs to be paid for, i mean even staff who drive the buses to the airplanes, little things like this.

AEROPLANE. Or plane if you must use fewer letters.

Many airlines don't make a profit on the flights. That's why they ream you for excess baggage, ticket adjustments, in flight drinks, duty free, and so on and so forth.