Biden wants the full cost of flights to be clearer for American travelers
The announcement came at a meeting of Biden’s Competition Council at the White House, where he called on federal agencies to pursue similar measures to tackle hidden fees in other sectors of the economy. The new airline proposal is among several consumer-friendly measures the Transportation Department has proposed in recent months to regulate carriers amid a rough patch for air travelers.
Under current rules, airlines are required to disclose what they charge for bags, but not at the point where fares are first displayed to prospective passengers. In the proposed rules, the Transportation Department concluded the existing system is insufficient. Ensuring that families with young children can sit together also has been a priority for consumer advocates, coming as the Transportation Department has urged airlines not to charge such fees. The new proposal requires that if carriers do charge for an adult and child to sit together, airlines must disclose the cost and allow it to be paid when a ticket is sold to avoid subsequent changes to the fees.