DOT says U.S. airlines collected $5.7 billion in fees last year By Kris Fronzak   June 14, 2011 http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/DOT-says-U-S--airlines-collected-$5-7-billion-in-fees-last-year/ According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. airlines collected nearly $5.7 billion in fees in 2010. The number includes baggage fees ($3.4 billion) and reservation change fees ($2.3 billion). With an estimated $952.3 million over the course of the year, Delta led the way in revenue from baggage fees. American Airlines was second ($580.7 million), US Airways third ($513.6 million), Continental fourth ($341.6 million) and United fifth ($313.2 million). Delta also was tops in change fees at $698.6 million, followed by American ($471.4. million), United ($321.5 million), US Airways ($253.1 million) and Continental ($237.4 million). Airline revenue from reservation change fees fell 3% in 2010 compared with the prior year. But revenue from bag fees continued a sharp rise, increasing 24.5% from 2009. Compared with 2008, airline revenue from bag fees nearly tripled in 2010. According to DOT, bag fees and change fees are the only fees paid by passengers that can be identified separately. All other fees paid by passengers are included in larger categories with other types of revenue.