Bag fees boost airline profits by billions
The airline industry racked up a record $6.4 billion in bag and change fees during 2014 according to newly released data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Bag fee revenue was up 5.3% year-over-year to $3.5 billion last year, led by Delta Air Lines which generated $875 million followed by United with $651 million and American Airlines with $574 million.
It was also a banner year for change fees with nearly $3 billion in combined revenue, a yearly increase of 5.7%.
Extra fees for change fees, checked bags and other ‘perks’ such as extra legroom seating started becoming ubiquitous in 2008 and revenues have steadily risen since then.
Fee happy Spirit Airlines generates more than a third of total income from extra fees, while at Southwest Airlines, which still allows passengers to check in bags and change most tickets for free, makes just 5% in extra fees.
The American Association of Airport Executives took the opportunity to highlight the hypocrisy of the airline industry.
Airports have been lobbying Congress to increase the Passenger Facility Charge from $4.50 to $8.50 to fund infrastructure projects at the nation’s airports, a move which is strongly opposed by airlines.
"For the second year in a row, the airlines have collected more in bag fee revenue than the federal government has spent on airport infrastructure across the entire nation," said AAAE president Todd Hauptli.
"It’s time for Congress to turn the page on this debate and act in the long-term best interest of local communities and the nation by modernizing the Passenger Facility Charge program."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season