Department of Transportation announced this week that US airlines are no longer required to disclose hidden baggage fees right when the ticket-buying process started. This also coincides with Delta Air Lines’ announcement that it will start charging basic economy passengers baggage fees for flights that are after December 6th. The DOT is following Trump administration’s distaste for Obama-era policies.
DOT is withdrawing the rule that required airlines to disclose fees by saying that they have “limited public benefit,” first reported by The Hill. The Obama-era rule proposed that it would provide greater transparency to airline consumer and is an overall benefit for consumers that want to travel via air.
This move drew heavy criticism from the Democratic members of Congress. Some have called it a “reckless reversal” by saying that Trump’s stance on government regulation and the fact that this is another gift to corporations that allow consumers abuse to occur.
Unbelievable. Pulling the plug on rules that would ensure airlines are open and honest about bag fees and other charges is about as anti-consumer as it gets. https://t.co/EXa4yhONQS
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) December 8, 2017
Under the now-pervious rule, it would have forced airlines and ticket agents to disclose any and all baggage fees at every point of the ticket-purchasing process. This includes any fees for checked bags and carry-ons.
