Airlines' 2010 Checked-Bag Haul: $3.4B

They raked in billions more in reservation and change fees
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 13, 2011 2:38 PM CDT
Airlines' 2010 Checked-Bag Haul: $3.4B
Fees for baggage and changing flights are the only way airlines stay out of the red, analysts say.   (Shutterstock)

You may want to take a deep breath before reading this one: Airlines collected a whopping $3.4 billion in baggage fees last year, up 24% from 2009. Reservation and change fees accounted for an additional $2.3 billion, down 3% from the year prior. The add-ons are one of the few bright spots for an industry that is caught between rising fuel costs and customers who expect rock-bottom airfares. Analysts say without the fees, the industry would be losing money. (More airline industry stories.)

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