Business
Business

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

By
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.

Follow Kelly Yamanouchi on facebookFollow Kelly Yamanouchi on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Ultralong 84-month loans make new cars look budget-friendly. The real price shows up in interest and negative equity. (David Guralnick/The Detroit News/TNS)

Credit: TNS

That low car payment could cost you more in the long run. A lot more.

About a quarter of all car loans now run longer than 72 months, according to Cox Automotive data.

Centennial Yards’ rise heralds a new downtown Atlanta

The $5 billion Centennial Yards project is rising within the 50-acre hole long known as the Gulch, an area once thought to be too complex to ever be developed.

Georgia lost jobs in September, says 1st report since federal shutdown

Georgia’s job market cooled some in September, but the unemployment rate remained steady, according to new data released Thursday by the state Department of Labor.

The Latest

Ultralong 84-month loans make new cars look budget-friendly. The real price shows up in interest and negative equity. (David Guralnick/The Detroit News/TNS)

Credit: TNS

That low car payment could cost you more in the long run. A lot more.

OPINION

Nissan’s e-Power: An EV driving experience, fueled by gas

OPINION

December car sales are good but not magic

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.

48m ago