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Airline fees never going away, $1.2 billion in first half
In the first six months of 2010, U.S. airlines raked in $1.2 billion – and that's just from change and cancellation fees. The industry is on track to see $2 billion in revenue just on ticket-related fees this year. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, here's where the money's going:
- Delta had the most at $347.1 million in the first half of 2010
- American Airlines was a distant second at $235.3 million in ticket related change fees
- United Airlines pulled in $158.3 million
- US Airways generated $128.3 million from ticket fees
- Continental Airlines picked up $120 million
JetBlue didn't hit the top five (finishing sixth), but it did lead the low-cost category in change and cancellation fees, with $55.7 million.
[photo by cliff1066 via Flickr]
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Garry Oct 19th 2010 3:21PM
In a world where there is near-total pricing competitiveness and transparency (e.g., Kayak, Expedia, et al), the airlines have discovered that it's profitable to tack-on hidden and compulsory "gotcha" fees that can be levied on customers at the last-minute, without much notice, and in a situation that borders on extortion ("pay up now, or take a bus").
Soon they be charging for "extras" like a bottom seat cushion, a back seat cushion, and admission tickets for the rest rooms.
As for change fees, I have no problem with those since they're (usually) completely at the discretion of the customer.