U.S. airlines collected nearly $3.5 billion in baggage fees last year, the government said Tuesday, continuing a steady improvement in the critical revenue stream that started just five years ago. That was up from $3.36 billion collected in 2011. The nations largest airlines also reported $2.55 billion in reservation change fees — that $150 or $200 customers pay to change the time or date of travel. Thats up from $2.38 billion in 2011. United was second to Delta in amount taken in from baggage fees last year, more than doubling its collection. The Chicago airline, the worlds largest, took in $705,547 last year from bag fees, up from $276,817 in 2011. Reservation fee revenue at the airline also soared, rising faster than nearly all its major competitors. United reported reservation fee revenue of $660,943 last year, double the $324,129 it collected in 2011. United has already broadly raised its reservation change fees this year.
via Airline fees: Airlines collect $3.5 billion in baggage fees in 2012 – chicagotribune.com.
