December 5, 2024
There’s a bipartisan demand for changes in the way you do business on these junk fees. You don’t like to call them junk fees, but that’s what they are. And I think the bipartisan tenor of today’s hearing speaks very loudly to this point.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in a closing statement at Wednesday’s hearing entitled: “The Sky’s the Limit — New Revelations About Airline Fees.”
Why It Matters: The Transportation Security Administration reported screening nearly 3.1 million travelers at airports on Sunday, which set a new single-day record. With more Americans traveling than ever before, questions remain about the business practices of airlines. Wednesday’s Senate hearing focused on what senators referred to as “junk fees” and lasted over two hours. Executives from many of the major airlines, including United, Delta, American, Spirit and Frontier, testified regarding the airlines’ ongoing fees for things like seat selection and extra bags.
Senators claimed that some airline carriers use algorithms to set fees based on a customer’s personal information – taking advantage of certain customers. However, airlines argue fees are based on choices provided to the consumer when purchasing tickets. Chief Strategy Officer of American Airlines Steve Johnson said to the panel: “We are more focused than ever on gaining the long term loyalty of our customers, and it has never been more affordable to fly.”
Frontier and American Airlines were the only two airlines present that follow the Department of Transportation’s new proposal for family seating. Delta, Spirit and United all claim they do “everything in [their] power” to ensure families sit together except for when airlines “may be in a situation where it is impossible to seat a family together,” said Chief External Affairs Officer Peter Carter of Delta Airlines.
Read More: Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Releases Majority Staff Report Slamming Sky High Airline Junk Fees (Sen. Richard Blumenthal)
US senators blast airline fees, say customers regarded as ‘piggy banks’ (Reuters)
Airline executives face Senate hearing over seat choice and baggage fees (PBS News)
by Kelly Dean, Based in Kentucky.
