U.S. passenger airlines collected a total of $932 million in baggage fees in the second quarter, up from $816 million in the first quarter, according to figures released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on Tuesday.
Delta led the pack, collecting $231 million in baggage fees, up from $198 million in the first quarter. United followed, collecting $195 million in fees. American Airlines was third, collecting $149 million.
During the first six months of 2012, the airlines also collected $1.3 billion in fees for canceling or changing a reservation.
The industry turned a $2.3 billion operating profit with a 6% profit margin in the second quarter (a period that included the busy summer season), according to the BTS. That was up from a $228 million operating profit and a 0.7% profit margin during the first quarter, a traditionally slower time of year.
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