Cities
Flying High: The Top Ten Airline Routes by Revenue
Flying High: The Top 10 Airline Routes by Revenue
The airline industry is a tough business. Profit margins are narrow, airplanes are expensive to run and maintain, and government regulation and taxation can be onerous and unpredictable.
In addition, demand can stall by the outbreak of disease, recession, war, or terrorism. So when a company has a winning airline route, it makes all the difference to a company’s bottom line.
Today’s visualization uses data from OAG Aviation Worldwide, which tracked the airline routes that generated the most revenue from April 2018 to March 2019.
Top 10 Highest Revenue Routes by Airline
North American routes dominate the global rankings. However, it is the connections from the U.S Northeast and Europe that generate the most revenue and often the most delays.
Only one route breaks the billion dollar barrier: British Airways’ service between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK).
Airline | Airport Pair | Countries | Total Revenue US$ 2018/19 |
---|---|---|---|
British Airways | JFK-LHR | 🇺🇸🇬🇧 | $1,159,126,794 |
Qantas Airlines | MEL-SYD | 🇦🇺 | $849,260,322 |
Emirates | LHR-DXB | 🇬🇧🇦🇪 | $796,201,645 |
Singapore Airlines | LHR-SIN | 🇬🇧🇸🇬 | $735,597,614 |
United Airlines | SFO-EWR | 🇺🇸 | $689,371,368 |
American Airlines | LAX-JFK | 🇺🇸 | $661,739,368 |
Qatar Airways | LHR-DOH | 🇬🇧🇶🇦 | $639,122,609 |
Cathay Pacific Airways | HKG-LHR | 🇭🇰🇬🇧 | $604,595,063 |
Singapore Airlines | SYD-SIN | 🇦🇺🇸🇬 | $549,711,946 |
Air Canada | YVR-YYZ | 🇨🇦 | $541,122,509 |
Air Canada’s route between Vancouver and Toronto bottoms out the list with $541 million of revenue in 2019. Low population density, high infrastructure costs, and an aviation industry that is essentially an oligopoly, are all factors driving up ticket costs in Canada.
North America, Top 10 Highest Revenue Routes by Airline
Here’s a look at only the top-grossing routes connected to North America, including the prior ones that made the global list.
Airline | Airport Pair | Countries | Total Revenue US$ 2018/19 |
---|---|---|---|
British Airways | JFK-LHR | 🇺🇸🇬🇧 | $1,159,126,794 |
United Airlines | SFO-EWR | 🇺🇸 | $689,371,368 |
American Airlines | LAX-JFK | 🇺🇸 | $661,739,788 |
Air Canada | YVR-YYZ | 🇨🇦 | $541,122,509 |
British Airways | BOS-LHR | 🇺🇸🇬🇧 | $523,527,241 |
Air France | JFK-CDG | 🇺🇸🇫🇷 | $486,378,698 |
United Airlines | LAX-EWR | 🇺🇸 | $479,908,312 |
Cathay Pacific Airways | JFK-HKG | 🇺🇸🇭🇰 | $475,514,451 |
Delta Air Lines | LAX-JFK | 🇺🇸 | $465,130,366 |
British Airways | LAX-LHR | 🇺🇸🇬🇧 | $452,136,502 |
Transcontinental routes dominate the domestic market with LAX–JFK appearing twice in the ranking for both American and Delta Air Lines.
Asia, Top 10 Highest Revenue Routes by Airline
Despite Asia’s rise as an economic superpower, there are no routes that break the billion dollar barrier. Singapore Airlines’ Singapore (SIN) to London’s Heathrow (LHR) tops the list, generating $736 million in 2019.
Airline | Airport Pair | Countries | Total Revenue US$ 2018/19 |
---|---|---|---|
Singapore Airlines | SIN-LHR | 🇸🇬🇬🇧 | $735,597,614 |
Cathay Pacific Airlines | HKG-LHR | 🇭🇰🇬🇧 | $604,595,063 |
Singapore Airlines | SIN-SYD | 🇸🇬🇦🇺 | $549,711,946 |
Vietnam Airlines | SGN-HAN | 🇻🇳 | $488,487,259 |
Cathay Pacific Airlines | HKG-JFK | 🇭🇰🇺🇸 | $475,514,451 |
Japan Airlines | OKA-HND | 🇯🇵 | $447,224,346 |
Singapore Airlines | CGK-SIN | 🇮🇩🇸🇬 | $436,905,694 |
Japan Airlines | FUK-HND | 🇯🇵 | $431,457,469 |
Singapore Airlines | SIN-MEL | 🇸🇬🇦🇺 | $414,276,407 |
Cathay Pacific Airlines | HKG-SIN | 🇭🇰🇸🇬 | $389,910,239 |
The routes that dominate Asia connect the financial hubs of London, New York, Singapore, and Hong Kong. There are also two domestic routes in Japan, connecting both Fukuoka (FUK) and Okinawa (OKA) to Tokyo’s Haneda (HND) airport.
Africa, Top 10 Highest Revenue Routes by Airline
At the top of the ranking in Africa is Johannesburg (JNB) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) with revenues of $315 million. Dubai has become an important hub for high value flights arriving and departing Africa, a position that may prove profitable as air traffic on the continent increases in coming years.
Airline | Airport Pair | Countries | Total Revenue US$ 2018/19 |
---|---|---|---|
Emirates | JNB-DXB | 🇿🇦🇦🇪 | $315,678,326 |
British Airways | JNB-LHR | 🇿🇦🇬🇧 | $295,167,492 |
Saudi Arabian Airlines | CAI-JED | 🇪🇬🇸🇦 | $242,155,949 |
TAAG Angola Airlines | LAD-LIS | 🇦🇴🇵🇹 | $231,155,949 |
South African Airlines | JNB-CPT | 🇿🇦 | $184,944,128 |
Emirates | CAI-DXB | 🇪🇬🇦🇪 | $181,392,011 |
Emirates | CPT-DXB | 🇿🇦🇦🇪 | $176,743,498 |
Air France | ABJ-CDG | 🇨🇮🇫🇷 | $174,986,272 |
British Airways | CPT-LHR | 🇿🇦🇬🇧 | $174,605,201 |
Emirates | MRU-DXB | 🇲🇺🇦🇪 | $163,952,609 |
Despite the smaller earnings compared to larger markets, some airline companies see the potential for growth in Africa. Virgin Atlantic will fly a route between London’s Heathrow and Cape Town in South Africa, while Qatar Airlines acquired a stake in RwandAir.
Financial Hubs
The cities that appear in the top revenue ranking are revealing. Since business and first class travelers are such an important revenue driver, it makes sense that connections between the world’s financial hubs are delivering big value to airlines.
As Asian and African economies continue to evolve, what route could be the next billion dollar route for airlines?
Cities
Mapped: The Safest Cities in the U.S.
How safe is small town America? This map reveals the safest cities in the U.S. in terms of the total crime rate per every 1,000 residents.

Mapped: The Safest Cities in America
The phrase “small town America” often conjures up images of white picket fences, well-trimmed lawns, and big houses. But how safe is modern-day suburbia in America?
Some of the smallest places in the country can actually be among the most dangerous. Take for example Bessemer, Alabama, with a population of around 26,000 and a violent crime rate of 33.1 per every 1,000 residents.
That said, there are many small cities that are true havens for families across the United States. This map showcases the safest cities in the U.S., using FBI data and Census Bureau populations compiled by NeighborhoodScout in 2023.
Note: The source only considered cities with a population of 25,000 or higher. This report is based on total index crimes reported in each city, which includes arson, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.
40% of the cities in the ranking are located in Northeastern states, which are typically rated the “safest” based on FBI data.
Here’s a closer look at the full list:
Rank | City | State | Total Crime Rate(per 1,000 residents) | Chance of Beinga Victim |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ridgefield | Connecticut | 1.9 | 1 in 510 |
2 | Franklin | Massachusetts | 2.9 | 1 in 344 |
3 | Lake in the Hills | Illinois | 3.1 | 1 in 321 |
4 | Marshfield | Massachusetts | 3.3 | 1 in 300 |
5 | Arlington | Massachusetts | 3.4 | 1 in 292 |
6 | Fulshear | Texas | 3.6 | 1 in 276 |
7 | Zionsville | Indiana | 3.6 | 1 in 275 |
8 | Lexington | Massachusetts | 3.7 | 1 in 270 |
9 | Muskego | Wisconsin | 3.8 | 1 in 265 |
10 | Rexburg | Idaho | 3.9 | 1 in 253 |
11 | Independence | Kentucky | 3.9 | 1 in 253 |
12 | Oswego | Illinois | 4.1 | 1 in 238 |
13 | Milton | Massachusetts | 4.2 | 1 in 233 |
14 | Needham | Massachusetts | 4.2 | 1 in 233 |
15 | White Lake | Michigan | 4.2 | 1 in 233 |
16 | Avon Lake | Ohio | 4.3 | 1 in 232 |
17 | Madison | Mississippi | 4.5 | 1 in 221 |
18 | Wakefield | Massachusetts | 4.5 | 1 in 218 |
19 | Windsor | Colorado | 4.5 | 1 in 218 |
20 | South Kingstown | Rhode Island | 4.7 | 1 in 212 |
21 | Colleyville | Texas | 4.8 | 1 in 206 |
22 | West Bloomfield | Michigan | 4.9 | 1 in 204 |
23 | Johns Creek | Georgia | 4.9 | 1 in 202 |
24 | Billerica | Massachusetts | 5.1 | 1 in 195 |
25 | Mason | Ohio | 5.1 | 1 in 192 |
26 | Reading | Massachusetts | 5.1 | 1 in 192 |
27 | North Andover | Massachusetts | 5.2 | 1 in 190 |
28 | Wellesley | Massachusetts | 5.2 | 1 in 189 |
29 | Mundelein | Illinois | 5.3 | 1 in 187 |
30 | Brandon | Mississippi | 5.3 | 1 in 186 |
31 | Cumberland | Rhode Island | 5.4 | 1 in 184 |
32 | Andover | Massachusetts | 5.4 | 1 in 182 |
33 | Edwardsville | Illinois | 5.5 | 1 in 178 |
34 | Little Elm | Texas | 5.6 | 1 in 176 |
35 | Merrimack | New Hampshire | 5.7 | 1 in 172 |
36 | Waltham | Massachusetts | 5.8 | 1 in 169 |
37 | Wylie | Texas | 5.9 | 1 in 169 |
38 | Commerce Township | Michigan | 5.9 | 1 in 169 |
39 | Milton | Georgia | 5.9 | 1 in 167 |
40 | Melrose | Massachusetts | 6.0 | 1 in 164 |
41 | Ballwin | Missouri | 6.1 | 1 in 162 |
42 | North Kingstown | Rhode Island | 6.1 | 1 in 162 |
43 | Beverly | Massachusetts | 6.2 | 1 in 161 |
44 | Rochester Hills | Michigan | 6.2 | 1 in 160 |
45 | Keller | Texas | 6.3 | 1 in 158 |
46 | Shrewsbury | Massachusetts | 6.4 | 1 in 156 |
47 | Dracut | Massachusetts | 6.4 | 1 in 155 |
48 | Prosper | Texas | 6.4 | 1 in 155 |
49 | Newton | Massachusetts | 6.5 | 1 in 152 |
50 | Friendswood | Texas | 6.5 | 1 in 152 |
51 | McHenry | Illinois | 6.5 | 1 in 152 |
52 | Fort Mill | South Carolina | 6.6 | 1 in 151 |
53 | Wallingford | Connecticut | 6.8 | 1 in 146 |
54 | Caledonia | Wisconsin | 6.9 | 1 in 144 |
55 | Belmont | Massachusetts | 6.9 | 1 in 144 |
56 | De Pere | Wisconsin | 6.9 | 1 in 143 |
57 | Flower Mound | Texas | 7.0 | 1 in 142 |
58 | Easton | Massachusetts | 7.0 | 1 in 141 |
59 | Highland Park | Illinois | 7.0 | 1 in 141 |
60 | Carmel | Indiana | 7.2 | 1 in 138 |
61 | Sachse | Texas | 7.2 | 1 in 138 |
62 | Algonquin | Illinois | 7.2 | 1 in 137 |
63 | Hendersonville | Tennessee | 7.2 | 1 in 137 |
64 | San Luis | Arizona | 7.3 | 1 in 136 |
65 | Fishers | Indiana | 7.3 | 1 in 135 |
66 | Perrysburg | Ohio | 7.4 | 1 in 135 |
67 | Lake Stevens | Washington | 7.4 | 1 in 134 |
68 | Cheshire | Connecticut | 7.4 | 1 in 134 |
69 | Milford | Massachusetts | 7.5 | 1 in 132 |
70 | Saratoga Springs | Utah | 7.5 | 1 in 132 |
71 | Bella Vista | Arkansas | 7.5 | 1 in 132 |
72 | Princeton | New Jersey | 7.5 | 1 in 131 |
73 | Bluffton | South Carolina | 7.6 | 1 in 130 |
74 | Novi | Michigan | 7.6 | 1 in 130 |
75 | Chelmsford | Massachusetts | 7.6 | 1 in 130 |
76 | Amherst | Massachusetts | 7.7 | 1 in 129 |
77 | Rosemount | Minnesota | 7.7 | 1 in 129 |
78 | Gloucester | Massachusetts | 7.7 | 1 in 129 |
79 | Syracuse | Utah | 7.8 | 1 in 127 |
80 | Waukee | Iowa | 7.8 | 1 in 126 |
81 | Mequon | Wisconsin | 7.9 | 1 in 126 |
82 | Westfield | Indiana | 7.9 | 1 in 126 |
83 | Spring Hill | Tennessee | 7.9 | 1 in 126 |
84 | Upper Arlington | Ohio | 7.9 | 1 in 126 |
85 | Rahway | New Jersey | 7.9 | 1 in 125 |
86 | Montclair | New Jersey | 7.9 | 1 in 125 |
87 | Greenwich | Connecticut | 8.0 | 1 in 125 |
88 | Hutto | Texas | 8.0 | 1 in 124 |
89 | Vestavia Hills | Alabama | 8.0 | 1 in 123 |
90 | Brownsburg | Indiana | 8.1 | 1 in 123 |
91 | Wilmette | Illinois | 8.1 | 1 in 123 |
92 | New Milford | Connecticut | 8.1 | 1 in 122 |
93 | Hilliard | Ohio | 8.2 | 1 in 120 |
94 | Royal Oak | Michigan | 8.2 | 1 in 120 |
95 | Derry | New Hampshire | 8.3 | 1 in 121 |
96 | Dublin | Ohio | 8.3 | 1 in 120 |
97 | West Warwick | Rhode Island | 8.5 | 1 in 116 |
98 | Watertown | Massachusetts | 8.5 | 1 in 116 |
99 | Walpole | Massachusetts | 8.6 | 1 in 115 |
100 | Kaysville | Utah | 8.6 | 1 in 115 |
One quarter of the safest cities are located in Massachusetts, with the vast majority clustered around Boston.
The median population of the cities and towns in the top 100 is just 32,000, and few widely-recognized cities make the list. Carmel, Indiana (#60) is the only city with a population above 100,000 to make the rankings. This would seem to follow the logic that bigger cities are more dangerous, but our map covering the most dangerous cities in America shows that many small cities were just as dangerous, and some even more.
Regardless, small towns can truly be idyllic. For example, a person’s chance of falling victim to crime in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the safest ranked city in the U.S., is just 1-in-510. That’s an overall rate of fewer than two incidents of crime per every 1,000 residents.
One surprising observation from the data is that many of the safest U.S. cities are in very close proximity to some of the most dangerous.
One example that illustrates this is Detroit, which ranks as the sixth most dangerous city in America. Despite this, as shown on the map above, there are four communities nearby that have some of the lowest crime rates in America.
In other words, America’s metro areas contain much contrast, and these insights provide valuable information for individuals and families seeking secure places to live across the country.
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