Airlines collected record baggage fees in 2012

Associated Press ^ | 05/14/13 | SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

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NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. airlines collected more than $6 billion in baggage and reservation change fees from passengers last year - the highest amount since the fees became common five years ago.

Passengers shouldn't expect a break anytime soon. Those fees - along with extra charges for boarding early or picking prime seats - have helped return the industry to profitability.

Airlines started charging for a first checked suitcase in 2008 and the fees have climbed since. Airlines typically charge $25 each way for the first checked bag, $35 for the second bag and then various extra amounts for overweight or oversized bags.

The nation's 15 largest carriers collected a combined $3.5 billion in bag fees in 2012, up 3.8 percent from 2011, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Fees for changing a reservation totaled $2.6 billion, up 7.3 percent.

The airlines took in $159.5 billion in revenue last year and had expenses of $153.6 billion, according to the government. That 3.7 percent profit margin comes entirely from the baggage and change fees.

Delta Air Lines once again took in the most fees - $865.9 million from baggage alone - but it also carried more passengers than any other airline.

Delta collected $7.44 per passenger - about average for the industry. Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines collected the most, an average $19.99 per passenger in baggage fees last year.

The government only requires the airlines to report revenue from baggage and change fees.

Passengers can expect to pay even more this summer.

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>>It was rumored they were considering doing that, but it was never implemented.<<

I found some articles that said they were confirmed to do it, but maybe they never pulled the trigger...