Delta Air Lines made $952 million in baggage fees last year — more than any other US carrier. It also topped the tables in reservation cancellation and change fees — with $699 million in revenue. Delta is therefore collecting $1.7 billion in fees beyond what passengers pay for tickets. American Airlines was the second highest earner for ancillary fees but was still 64% lower than Delta in baggage fee revenue and 48% percent less in cancellation and change fees.
Data from the Department for Transportation shows that airlines collected $5.7 billion in baggage and ticket-change fees last year. With estimated profits of $5.1 billion in 2010, North American airlines would not survive without these fees.