Airlines Lobby To Roll Back Consumer Protection Regulations

Airlines for America, the trade group representing the nation’s largest carriers, has submitted a 93-page petition to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting the rollback of several key consumer protection rules. According to USA Today, the lobbying effort targets three core passenger safeguards that many travelers rely on. These include automatic cash refunds for canceled or delayed flights, “full fare” advertising that requires airlines to display taxes and mandatory fees in the initial price, and complimentary family seating policies that allow parents to sit with their young children without incurring extra fees.

This deregulation push comes shortly after the DOT, now led by Sean Duffy, abandoned a proposed rule from the Biden administration that would have compensated passengers up to $775 for delays.

Airlines Push For Deregulation Of Passenger Protections

Under current regulations, airlines must reimburse travelers in cash when there’s a significant schedule change or cancellation, unless the customer voluntarily accepts a voucher instead. If the airlines’ petition succeeds, vouchers, often burdened with blackout dates and tight expiration windows, could become the default remedy, forcing travelers to use future flights rather than receive a refund.

The lobbying effort also targets rules requiring transparent pricing that helps consumers compare total costs across different airlines. Without these protections, carriers could advertise artificially low base fares while revealing taxes and unavoidable fees only in later booking steps.

The industry’s lobbying extends beyond these consumer protections. Airlines for America has also requested that the DOT cease publishing monthly performance statistics that show travelers which airlines cancel or delay the most flights. This would remove critical data that consumers currently use to make informed choices when booking air travel.

Potential Impact On American Travelers

If airlines succeed in their deregulation campaign, consumer advocates warn that travelers could face significant challenges. Christopher Migliaccio, a consumer-rights attorney, told USA Today that removing these rules would mean “consumers will face many more surprise charges and less protection against refundable purchases.”

For families, the rollback could mean paying extra fees to ensure children can sit with their parents. Budget-conscious travelers might struggle to compare actual costs across different carriers if airlines can hide fees until late in the booking process. Furthermore, passengers whose flights are canceled might receive vouchers with restrictive conditions instead of cash refunds.

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