U.S. airlines set a new record for revenue from checked baggage fees, collecting $1.2 billion in the second quarter of the year. During that same period, carriers also took in $737.5 million from reservation change fees.
This marks the fifth consecutive quarter in which checked-bag revenue topped $1 billion. The increase follows findings from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report indicating that unbundling base fares and charging separately for services like checked bags and boarding priority can raise total spending for some travelers.
The GAO report notes that when airlines unbundle fares, passengers who pay for checked baggage often end up paying more in combined airfare and bag fees than they would have under a bundled pricing model. Conversely, travelers who do not check bags can pay less overall under the unbundled approach.
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, who requested the GAO analysis, criticized the growing fees as excessive. He said the rising costs were a burden on passengers and urged airlines to reconsider their fee structures.
As airlines continue to seek ancillary revenue through fees for baggage, reservation changes and other services, consumers and regulators are watching whether those charges will prompt changes in industry pricing practices or lead to new policy responses aimed at protecting travelers from escalating costs.