A small part of the airline business is growing: picky and impatient customers who don't complain about legroom.
Passenger airlines are filling their bellies with more cargo, thanks to e-commerce and demand for perishable goods from asparagus to salmon to roses, and other temperature-sensitive products like medicine, carriers told CNBC.
One factor is that trade is growing globally. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said trade volumes would likely expand 4.2 percent in 2017, almost double the growth rate of 2016. Demand for shipping products by air is now bouncing back after declines as ocean freight rates fell in 2015 and 2016.
In the first half of 2017, air freight grew at the fastest clip since 2010, according to the International Air Transport Association.
While FedEx, United Parcel Service and Deutsche Post DHL might be more familiar shippers to consumers, commercial airlines that ship cargo on board passenger planes are enjoying higher revenues as they stuff planes' bellies with cargo. Their regular schedules and dedicated space below the plane make them attractive couriers. They even carry packages for the more traditional shipping companies.
Christmas in July
Delta Air Lines said cargo revenue rose more than 11 percent in the third quarter to $187 million.
A day earlier, United Airlines forecast cargo revenues of between $245 million and $265 million in the quarter ended in September, 14 percent higher than the year-ago period and ahead of the busy holiday season.
United and other U.S. carriers said demand for fruits, vegetables and other short-shelf life products like fish, is growing. For example, a United spokesman said the airline transported 3.2 million tons of cherries in 2017, 54 percent more on the year, with its largest markets in Osaka, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
An airline spokesman said United's cargo operation transported 3.2 million tons of cherries in 2017, 54 percent more on the year, with the biggest markets in Osaka, Toyko, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
American Airlines said its cargo unit had its best August since the carrier's merger with U.S. Airways in 2013, and it expects to generate about $780 million from flying cargo this year, up 11 percent from 2016.
The revenue makes up a tiny portion of airlines' overall income, which for American was about $40 billion last year. But it does help carriers that have been grappling with how to increase profits amid competition from low-cost carriers and higher costs. Baggage fees charged to passengers has been another boon to carriers — U.S. airlines' raked in a record $4.2 billion from that business last year.
Delta, which said revenue from its cargo operations rose 11 percent in the previous quarter, also is trying to grow this business. In June, Delta added 30,000 square feet of warehouse space at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and is growing its medical and pharmaceutical cargo business. The No. 2 U.S. airline expects its new widebody Airbus A350 airplanes will help it cater to growing demand.
Pricier method
Of course, shipping by air is pricier. A $200 ocean freight shipment can fetch $1,000 if shipped by air, according to shipment booking platform Freightos, but it has its merits for vendors.
"Air freight is an expensive shipping option," said Barclays transportation analyst Brandon Oglenski. "But if demand unexpectedly exceeds a shipper's expectations, long lead times for ocean freight from Asia usually dictates utilizing airfreight to get items back in stock quickly, especially for high value seasonal consumer products."
Sending products on commercial airplanes is convenient, especially as Amazon and other shippers are trying to shorten the supply chain and get goods directly to consumers faster.
"What fills it up is last-minute requirement," said Stephen Fortune, a founder of consulting firm Fortune Aviation Services.
But there are other challenges. Some airlines, such as Qatar Airways and Latam fly dedicated cargo planes. Space on a passenger plane, however is limited and flights "arrive at a time that's more suited for the customers."
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