Airlines take in $1.3 billion in baggage fees so far this year

U.S. airlines have collected nearly $1.3 billion in baggage fees so far in 2019, according to Department of Transportation data released this week.

The first-quarter amount is up about $170 million from the $1.1 billion airlines collected in the first quarter of 2018, according to the department.

{mosads}Four major U.S. airlines increased fees last year: American, Delta, JetBlue and United. Under the new fees, the first checked bag on domestic flights is $30, with the second $40.

American led for overall baggage fee revenue in the first quarter, with $3.17 million, followed by United with $2.38 million, Delta with $2.01 million and Spirit with $1.76 million, according to the Department of Transportation.

The number beats out the $1.2 billion airlines collected in baggage fees between July and September 2017, then a record high and itself a 10 percent increase from the same period in 2016.