Increased baggage fees push airlines' ancillary revenue up 42% in 2009
Turns out being nickel and dimed really can add up—to some $7.8 billion. The Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics confirmed what many had already suspected: U.S. airlines made a lot more money in fees last year.
Of the $7.8 billion total, more than $2.7 billion was generated from new or expanded baggage fees, according to the DOT. Baggage fees were introduced in 2008 but became more prevalent last year. The DOT defines "ancillary fee revenue" as baggage fees, reservation change fees and miscellaneous operating revenue, such as pet transportation and standby passenger fees.
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