US Airlines Posted “Second-Most Profitable Year Ever” In 2017 Written 8 May 2018

USA Today reports that 2017 was the second-most profitable year ever for US airlines, which brought in “nearly $15.5 billion, the Transportation Department announced Monday.” Combined after-tax net profit at 23 airlines “improved from the $14 billion in 2016, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).” Fees for checked bags and changed flights contributed 4.6 percent to the total, but while checked bag fees rose almost 6 percent, change fees dropped by 1.7 percent. Fuel cost the airlines a combined $26.2 billion, “up more than 16% from 2016 and accounting for 17% of expenses last year, according to the bureau.” 
More Info (USA Today)