Top U.S. airlines for extra fees in 2012: Delta Air Lines leads the way
Skift Take
As ticket prices have been pushed lower and lower, fees have become the difference between profit and loss for all but a few airlines in the U.S.
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
