Airlines collect nearly $8 billion in extra fees

Revenue from seating assignments, on-board sales of food, drink, pillows, blankets, entertainment and other items are reported in a different category. 

Delta, the nation’s largest carrier collected $1.65 billion in 2009, including $425.7 million in the fourth quarter, the most of any carrier and a nearly 50 percent increase over the same quarter of 2008. 

American Airlines ranked second with just over $1 billion, US Airways was third, with $912 million, Northwest was fourth at $719 million and Southwest, which only charges for the third checked bag, was sixth, collecting $617 million. 

United and Continental, which announced a $3 billion merger Monday, were fifth and seventh overall, collecting $619.5 million and $538 million.