Top U.S. airlines for extra fees in 2012: Delta Air Lines leads the way

According to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, for the third consecutive year Delta Air Lines beat out all other U.S. airlines in checked baggage and reservation change fees. Out of a total of more that $6 billion in fees collected by all reporting U.S. airlines, Delta took home more than $1.6 billion.

Delta’s share of fees is in line with its share of U.S. traffic; it carried more passengers than any other U.S. airline in 2012. But the second most-used airline, Southwest, is much further down the list in slots seven (baggage fees) and six (change fees). United, American, and US Airways round out the top four.

The real go-getter on the list is Spirit which, despite not being among the top 10 in passenger numbers among  U.S. airlines, Spirit manages to rank as number five in baggage fees and number eight in change fees.

Unless another airline comes up with a clever new fee in 2013 — we’re looking at you Spirit — Delta will likely retain the top spot in 2013, before likely being unseated in 2014 by the new American Airlines once its merger with US Airways is completed.

Overall, baggage fees rose just 3.5% in 2012 over 2011 numbers and change fees rose 7.5%.

Total revenue for all passenger airlines for the full year 2012 was $159.5 billion. All U.S. passenger airlines collected a total in 2012 of $3.5 billion in baggage fees and $2.6 billion from reservation change fees. The additional fees kept airlines from reporting a loss for last year, according to the BTS, “For the full year 2012, the 10 largest airlines reported net income of $201 million, up from $0.5 million loss in 2011.”

Baggage fees in 2012

Dollars in thousands (000)

Change fees in 2012

Dollars in thousands (000)

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Schedule.
Note: The merged Southwest and AirTran began reporting jointly in 2Q 2012. Previous numbers, including 1Q 2012, were reported separately.