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Airlines made US$33 billion from baggage fees worldwide last year, and they could make even more this year

  • Last year’s estimate is up almost 15 per cent from 2022, and it’s the first time it’s crossed US$30 billion since before the pandemic
  • Carriers could be set to make even more this year, as several US airlines have upped their checked bag fees

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Airlines made more than US$33 billion from baggage fees in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock

Baggage fees alone were worth an estimated US$33.3 billion to airlines last year.

That’s according to a report from IdeaWorksCompany, a consultancy for airline ancillary revenues, and car rental firm CarTrawler.

IdeaWorks’ report analyses revenue disclosures from around 120 major airlines around the world, before collating a global estimate.

The fees are mostly for checking baggage, as well as added costs for heavy bags and larger carry-ons.

Last year’s estimate is up almost 15 per cent from 2022, and it’s the first time it’s crossed US$30 billion since before the pandemic.

Back in 2019, baggage fee revenue was worth 3.7 per cent of airlines’ revenue, whereas last year it was estimated at 4.1 per cent.

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