Delta Air Lines collected the most baggage fees of any U.S. airline in 2010, according to federal data released Monday.
Delta collected $952 million in baggage fees last year, far more than any other U.S. airline, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That's also nearly double the baggage fees Delta collected in 2009. Atlanta-based Delta has increased its baggage fees over time and currently charges $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag on domestic flights.
American Airlines, in the No. 2 spot, collected nearly $581 million in baggage fees last year, followed by US Airways at about $514 million.
Continental collected $342 million in baggage fees last year, while United collected $313 million. United and Continental merged last year to become the world's largest airline, surpassing Delta. But even combined, the total amount United and Continental collected in baggage fees doesn't match Delta's haul.
AirTran came in sixth in baggage fee revenues, with $152 million collected in 2010.
Southwest Airlines, which acquired AirTran Airways and plans to eventually bring Southwest service to Atlanta, does not charge for the first two checked bags, but it does charge for additional bags beyond two. Southwest came in 14th in baggage fee collections, with nearly $30 million in revenue.
The federal data also included figures on airline revenue from fees for reservation changes and cancellations. Delta also collected the most in that category, with nearly $699 million in revenue in 2010. Delta was followed by American, United, US Airways, Continental, JetBlue and AirTran.
Southwest does not charge change fees, but like other airlines, it does charge for any increase in fare.
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