Tuesday, December 14, 2010

"Show me the money!" Airline baggage fee profits

U.S. airlines collect more than $4.3 billion in fees for checking baggage and changing tickets so far this year.

New data from the Transportation Department on Monday shows that Delta Air Lines Inc. collected the most, hauling in $1.26 billion in fees so far this year. For flights within the United States, Delta charges $25 for the first bag and $32 for the second. For U.S. flights to Europe, Delta doesn’t charge for the first bag but charges $55 for the second bag.

United Continental Holdings Inc., which is bigger than Delta by traffic, collected more than the $922 million.

Travelers paid more than $784 million for baggage and ticket changes to AMR Corp.’s American Airlines.

Southwest Airlines Co. does not charge to check the first two bags. But it has still collected $22.5 million in baggage fees this year for additional luggage.


(Associted Press)

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