Both U.S. Sens Edward Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CN) are calling on their colleagues this week to check rising airline fees for checked bags.
The action is a direct response to JetBlue Airways and United Airlines both raising prices in the last week. JetBlue raised prices by $5 for both first and second checked bags, and by $50 for a third bag. United Airlines also raised fees on first and second checked bags by $5.
“When passengers check their bags, they shouldn’t have to check their bank accounts to make sure they have enough money to cover these new exorbitant fees,” the senators said in a statement. “It’s time to ground this fee gouging and restore sanity to air travel. It’s time to pass the FAIR Fees Act.”
The FAIR Fees Act was introduced by the senators in May and would limit fees for checked bags, ticket changes and cancellations alike. FAIR stands for Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous fees. It has already passed committee, being included in the Senate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. In that effort, Blumenthal and Markey were joined by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).