What Is the Government’s Cut on Flights?
Demystify the government's share of your flight ticket. Learn about the taxes and fees that fund aviation services and how they're integrated into airfare.
When purchasing an airline ticket, the total price often includes more than just the base fare. Various governmental bodies impose a range of taxes and fees, commonly referred to as the “government’s cut” on flights. These charges are a standard component of air travel costs, funding essential aviation infrastructure, security measures, and other public services. Understanding these embedded costs provides insight into the economics of air travel and the mechanisms supporting national and international aviation systems.
Taxes and Fees on Domestic Flights
Flights within the United States are subject to several federal taxes and fees that contribute to aviation-related programs. One such charge is the Federal Excise Tax, applied as a percentage of the base airfare. This tax is currently 7.5% of the ticket price for domestic flights. Revenue from this excise tax is directed to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), which supports airport infrastructure development and air traffic control.
Another component is the Flight Segment Tax, a flat fee applied per flight segment. A flight segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. This tax is currently $4.20 per segment, with a maximum of two segments per trip. This revenue helps finance the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) operations, including airport improvement grants.
Passengers also pay the September 11th Security Fee, collected to fund aviation security services. This fee is currently $5.60 per one-way trip originating at a U.S. airport, with a maximum of $11.20 per round trip. This fee helps finance the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), covering costs such as federal security screeners, law enforcement personnel, and security-related capital improvements at airports.
Individual airports can impose Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) to fund local infrastructure projects. These charges are collected by airlines and remitted to the respective airports. PFCs are capped at $4.50 per flight segment, with a maximum of two PFCs charged on a one-way trip or four PFCs on a round trip, totaling up to $18. Airports use these funds for FAA-approved projects improving airport facilities.
Taxes and Fees on International Flights
International air travel involves additional government taxes and fees, distinct from those applied to domestic flights. One such charge is the U.S. International Departure Tax, which applies to any international air transportation commencing in the U.S. This tax is currently $22.90 per passenger for international flights that begin or end in the United States.
Passengers arriving in the U.S. from abroad are subject to Customs User Fees. This fee, collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), helps fund border inspection services. Effective October 1, 2025, this fee is scheduled to increase to $7.39 per arriving passenger. The fee is applied to commercial flights arriving in the U.S. from outside its customs territory.
Another fee for international arrivals is the Immigration User Fee, also collected by CBP to support immigration processing services. This fee currently stands at $7.00 per passenger. Like Customs User Fees, this charge is levied on commercial flights arriving in the U.S. from abroad.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) also imposes fees to cover the costs of agricultural inspections for international travelers. This includes inspecting passengers and their baggage for agricultural products upon arrival. The current international air passenger APHIS fee is $3.71 per passenger. These fees ensure the safe movement of goods and people while protecting U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.
Foreign governments also impose their own taxes and fees on international flights to or from their territories. These charges vary significantly by country and destination, encompassing departure taxes, security fees, and various other levies. Airlines collect these foreign-imposed taxes and fees as part of the ticket price, remitting them to the respective foreign authorities.
How Taxes and Fees are Applied
Government taxes and fees on airline tickets are included in the advertised ticket price. This integration ensures a transparent, all-inclusive price when purchasing a flight. Airlines are responsible for collecting these charges from passengers at the time of ticket purchase and remitting them to the appropriate government agencies.
When a ticket is purchased, these taxes and fees are itemized on the ticket receipt or within the online booking breakdown. This breakdown allows passengers to differentiate between the base fare and the various governmental charges. These itemizations might appear under sections such as “Taxes,” “Fees,” or “Government Surcharges.” The specific amount a passenger pays in taxes and fees can vary based on the itinerary, including the number of flight segments and the airports involved.