http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/05/03/business/AP-US-Airlines-Fees.html?_r=1The government on Monday confirmed what many travelers already suspected: U.S. airlines made a lot more money in fees last year.
The Department of Transportation said revenue from so-called ancillary fees rose 42 percent to $7.8 billion in 2009. The biggest chunk of that came from checked baggage fees, which were introduced in 2008 when oil prices soared and evenutally reached $147 per barrel.
Besides checked bags, other fees include those for reservation changes, pet travel and mileage sales.
United and Continental, which on Monday announced plans to combine to form the world's biggest airline, were sixth and seventh among carriers in fees collected. United took in $619.5 million in fees, Continental $539.7 million.