The Norman Transcript

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December 20, 2012

Baggage fees climbing

The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Airlines began imposing baggage fees about the time jet fuel costs skyrocketed. The theory was passengers would travel lighter if they had to pay and a lighter plane used less fuel.

Passengers are still bringing a lot of stuff, only much of it is being packed in carry-ons that tend to push the size limit.

No matter how much stuff we carry on, it’ll be hard to roll back baggage fees. The Associated Press reports U.S. airlines raked in $924 million in baggage fees in the third quarter alone.

Delta held the top spot for baggage fees year to date. It collected $662.8 million. Not bad for the nation’s second most popular airline.

Even Southwest, which touts its two bags for free policy, collected $104.3 million in baggage fees so far this year.

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