Airline figures distinguish net and operating profit

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported $6.0 billion in U.S. scheduled passenger airlines’ 2025 after-tax net profit on May 12, 2026, down from $6.7 billion in 2024. Pre-tax operating profit was $11.4 billion. Those are different accounting measures, and the release warned that corrected or updated inputs could lead to revisions. ^[1]

The classification system offers useful history. A BTS reporting-guide page dated August 18, 2017 organized profit-and-loss items into operating revenues, operating expenses, nonoperating income and expenses, income taxes and special items. These categories explain why a single word such as profit needs a specified accounting basis before readers compare figures. ^[2]

The agency’s undated dictionary gives the distinction substance. Nonoperating income and expense include interest, unusual foreign-exchange gains or losses, and gains or losses on disposing of property and equipment. Operating revenues instead concern transportation and related services. The financial picture therefore extends beyond the fares collected for carrying passengers. ^[3]

Following one airline over time requires care as well. The Form 41 data catalog identifies a DOT airline ID by its operating certificate, regardless of its name, code or holding company. It warns that IATA carrier codes may be reused. Consistent identifiers, periods and measures make a comparison more useful than matching names alone. ^[4]

About this item: Retrospective report. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.