By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP
AP Transportation Writer
NEW YORK – The government on Monday confirmed what many travelers already suspected: U.S. airlines made a lot more money in fees last year.
The Department of Transportation said revenue from so-called ancillary fees rose 42 percent to $7.8 billion in 2009. The biggest chunk of that came from checked baggage fees, which were introduced in 2008 when oil prices soared and evenutally reached $147 per barrel.
Besides checked bags, other fees include those for reservation changes, pet travel and mileage sales.