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In one year, U.S. airlines collected $3.8 billion in baggage fees

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May 3, 2016

U.S. airlines collected a record $3.8 billion in baggage fees in 2015, according to a new federal report.

American Airlines, which acquired US Airways to create the world's largest airline, had the biggest take with $1.1 billion in baggage fees last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

ExploreInteractive: Which airlines bank the most baggage fees?

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines since 2009 had been the biggest collector of bag fees, but was surpassed by American as airline consolidation creates a bigger competitor.

Delta in 2015 came in second, bringing in $875.1 million in baggage fees.

United Airlines collected $672.2 million in baggage fees for the year. Spirit Airlines took in $288.7 million and Frontier Airlines took in $220 million from bag fees in 2015.

About the Author

As business team lead, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories. She graduated from Harvard and has a master's degree from Northwestern.

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