President Joe Biden on Monday announced a new proposed rule to strengthen consumer protections for air travelers as they purchase tickets.
Under the proposed rule, airlines and travel search websites would be required to disclose the first time an airfare is displayed any fees charged to sit with your child, change or cancel flights or for checked or carry-on baggage. The announcement at a meeting of the White House Competition Council, is aimed at providing customers with the information they need to choose the best deal and eliminate surprise fees.
“Airline passengers deserve to know the full, true cost of their flights before they buy a ticket,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “This new proposed rule would require airlines to be transparent with customers about the fees they charge, which will help travelers make informed decisions and save money.”
The proposed rule is in response to President Biden’s executive order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, which established efforts to lower prices for consumers, raise wages for workers and promote innovation.
Under the proposal, U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers and ticket agents would be required to disclose passenger-specific or itinerary-specific baggage fees, change fees, cancellation fees and family seating fees whenever fare and schedule information is provided to consumers for flights to, within and from the United States.
Biden called on all federal agencies to use their powers to expose and limit fees as a way to help save American families money. Pointing to internet provider fees and bank and credit overdraft and late fees, Biden said unfair and hidden fee practices cost consumers. The proposal also requires air carriers to provide “usable, current and accurate” information regarding baggage fees, change fees, cancellation fees and adjacent seating fees for families traveling with young children.