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Red Bull brand energy drinks in a supermarket in Valence, France, on September 7, 2025 (Getty Images)
TAURINE DE FORCE

Energy drink sales are soaring — but Red Bull’s still fly the highest

The Wiiings seller’s rivals reported record sales this week, but none come close to the biggest name in the game.

Millie Giles

As the cost of America’s go-to caffeine fix surges to new highs, consumers appear to be replacing their long-brewed coffee breaks with the instant boost of a fizzy, canned alternative.

On Thursday evening, energy drink giant Monster Beverage released its fourth-quarter and full-year results, and reported net sales of $8.3 billion for 2025 — an all-time high, up ~11% from the year before. Monster’s gross margin also edged up as price changes and supply chain efficiencies offset rising aluminum costs, per Reuters.

Earlier that day, fast-growing energy drink brand Celsius also reported some boosted figures, with sales rocketing 86% to $2.5 billion in FY2025. Still, even as rivals shift cans at record rates, these numbers pale in comparison to the astronomical revenues posted by global market leader Red Bull.

Energy drink sales 2025 chart
Sherwood News

Back in January, the Austrian beverage giant reported that net sales grew 8.6% to a record €12.2 billion (~$14.3 billion) in 2025 — nearly double the revenues that Monster, the next biggest energy drink brand, posted.

Bull, meet horns

While Red Bull’s primary growth driver remains the beverage segment, having sold almost 14 billion cans of its core product last year, the company is looking to keep expanding its portfolio of sports sponsorships, with its logo already stamped across sports teams from ice hockey and soccer to Formula 1.

However, recognizable branding in spectator-dense spaces may not stop health-conscious consumers from switching to sugar-free, lower-calorie options like Celsius. According to data cited by Bloomberg, the buzziest energy drink on the block took market share from both Monster and Red Bull last year as it won over some untapped demographics.

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American Airlines joins the flock, hiking bag fees amid higher jet fuel prices

American Airlines on Thursday announced that it, too, will be hiking the fees it charges customers to check luggage.

With the move, all four of the major US airlines, which together control about 80% of the US market, have now hiked their baggage fees in recent days amid surging jet fuel prices.

The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

Since late March, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Canada’s WestJet, and Southwest have hiked their fees. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

Since late March, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Canada’s WestJet, and Southwest have hiked their fees. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

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Less than a year after implementing them, Southwest is also hiking its bag fees

Southwest Airlines has joined the growing list of airlines opting to hike their bag fees amid sustained higher jet fuel costs.

Starting today, the first checked bag at the carrier — which implemented bag fees less than a year ago — will jump from $35 to $45, and the second from $45 to $55. Southwest quietly disclosed the change Tuesday.

Southwest assigned the decision to “part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”

As of Wednesday, jet fuel prices dropped to $4.16 a gallon, per the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, down from $4.81 on Tuesday following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, which sent travel stocks soaring. Major airlines have shed some of those gains in premarket trading Thursday.

With the move to hike bag fees, Southwest joins JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canada’s WestJet, all of which also boosted fees this month. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

Southwest assigned the decision to “part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”

As of Wednesday, jet fuel prices dropped to $4.16 a gallon, per the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, down from $4.81 on Tuesday following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, which sent travel stocks soaring. Major airlines have shed some of those gains in premarket trading Thursday.

With the move to hike bag fees, Southwest joins JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canada’s WestJet, all of which also boosted fees this month. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

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