10/13/2026
US airlines collected $7.4 billion in checked-bag fees last year. The entire industry's net profit was $6.0 billion. Bag fees alone brought in more revenue than the whole business kept in profit.
Here's the part that matters for your trip: those fees get reported to the federal government on a line of their own, separate from the fare. That's why the $445 flight you found is not a $445 trip. Add the bag. Add the seat. Add the change you might need in February.
I price all of it before you book, and I put the fare rules in writing so there's no argument later.
Comment TRIPBUDDY or send me your dates and I'll do a free 15-minute trip audit.