D/FW AIRPORT — A full plane is makes a happy airline, and American's planes have been fuller the last three months.
But for the Fort Worth-based airline, there's also big money in that bag. By charging customers for extras — like checking their bags, upgrades and on-board snacks — American earned $602 million last quarter.
It's part of a number of things that are coming together to turn the corner.
"We're starting to see good improvement of business travelers returning, more people in general flying," said American spokesman Tim Smith.
American used to be the biggest airline in the world, but that is no longer the case. Big competitors are merging, bumping American down to third in the United States.
Still, the airline does not see a merger in its future.
"Big is maybe good, but big doesn't come without its problems of integrating two very different airlines that choose to merge," Smith said.
American, through its One World partners, sees profits with its new operating agreement with British Airways and a similar agreement with Japan Airlines.
Every eight days, American is putting a new jet into service, another sign that the biggest tenant at D/FW International Airport is healthy.
American is making more money on every seat it sells, and more than eight out of every 10 seats on every flight are full.
As long as that continues, American Airlines says its future looks good.
E-mail bharris@wfaa.com
