Senate report criticizes airline ‘junk fees’ totaling billions of dollars
By Lauren Taylor (Anchor/Reporter), Jodie Hawkins (Producer), Jack Henry (Video Editor)
Airlines are raking in billions of dollars in “junk-fees,” according to a new report. The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations centers on extra charges people pay when they fly, like checking bags or choosing their seat.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Airlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on CNNWhat financial troubles at budget airlines could means for travelers
Click to see story on nprLawmakers call on five major airlines to stop ‘junk fees’ for baggage, seats
Click to see story on NBC ConnecticutSenate Report Blasts Airlines Over ‘Junk’ Fees: What to Know
Click to see story on Time MagazinePaul Arcand’s press review | Additional costs to travelers: Canada protects airlines
Click to see story on La PresseBlumenthal report investigates costs of airline seat, baggage fees
Click to see story on The CT MirrorUS Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Click to see story on ReutersAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on KIFISenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on CNBCSenate panel rips airlines over rising ‘junk’ fees
Click to see story on The HillSenate Targets Airlines Over $12.4 Billion Seat Fees Amid Mounting Scrutiny – American Airlines Gr (NASDAQ:AAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL)
Click to see story on BenzingaSenate panel critical of U.S. airlines for raking in billions in ‘junk fees’ ahead of December hearing
Click to see story on UPIAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on KWWLAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on KESQSeat fees are now worth billions for U.S. airlines
Click to see story on Quartz‘Airlines exploiting passengers with sky high junk fees,’ CT senator’s investigation finds
Click to see story on Hartford CourantGovernment report details airline fees
Click to see story on The ManualUS senate panel slams airlines for ‘junk fees’ in latest probe
Click to see story on The Straits TimesAirline executives called to testify in hearing about ‘junk fees’ – Washington Examiner
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerSenate subcommittee slams airlines for raking in billions on seat upgrades
Click to see story on Just the NewsSenate panel slams US airlines for ‘junk’ fees, execs called to testify
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Click to see story on Greek ReporterSenate Subcommittee Slams Airlines for Raking in Billions on Seat Upgrades
Click to see story on NOQ ReportSenate Subcommittee Slams Airlines for Raking in Billions on Seat Upgrades
Click to see story on America First ReportSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees – Overpasses For America
Click to see story on overpassesforamerica.comUntracked Bias
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Click to see story on DevdiscourseUS: Airlines make billions charging ‘rubbish’, says Congress
Click to see story on in.grAirlines make billions from junk fees – ABC Columbia
Click to see story on ABC ColumbiaSenate report criticizes airlines for $12.4 billion in seat fees
Click to see story on KHQ Right NowSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on JingletreeBanks pass on the increase in transaction fees
Click to see story on Magyar HangBlumenthal report investigates costs of airline seat, baggage fees – CT Mirror
Click to see story on Quorum CallSenate Report Criticizes Airlines’ Junk Fee Practices
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Click to see story on View from the WingReport reveals major airlines earn billions in fees – CEO North America
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Click to see story on regionalmedianews.comAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says #SmallBusinessSupport #Marketing #WomenInBusiness #BlackOwnedBusiness #Business
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Click to see story on Phil's Stock WorldFinancial News Network – Senate panel slams US airlines for ‘junk’ fees, execs called to testify
Click to see story on financialnewsnetwork.comSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees – Los Angeles Weekly Times
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Click to see story on Travelers UnitedIt found from 2018 to 2023, five U.S. airlines made more than $12 billion on seat selection fees alone.
The report said for an extra legroom seat, United Airlines charged as much as $319, Spirit Airlines charged up to $299, Delta Airlines charged as much as $264, Frontier Airlines charged as much as $141 and American Airlines charged as much as $140.
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Lawmakers reported some of the fees are set up to avoid taxes.
Federal law applies a 7.5% tax to passenger air transportation, with some airlines calling certain services “optional” to bypass the tax on those charges. The ambiguity encourages airlines to charge more in non-taxable fees.
Some are maximizing this strategy to gain an advantage in attracting budget-conscious customers.
The report also found some airlines, like Frontier and Spirit, reward agents for catching travelers who do not follow carry-on rules.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration started ramping up consumer protections.
The Department of Transportation proposed to ban family seating junk fees. The proposal would guarantee parents can sit with their kids for no extra charge.
This led to at least four airlines offering fee-free family seating.
Last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to criticism from airline executives who say they’re being over-regulated.
“I know that some airline CEOs have expressed hopes that the next administration will be less passenger-friendly and more corporate-friendly than this administration,” Buttigieg said. “What I will say is the passenger protections that we have put in place deservedly enjoy broad public, bipartisan support.”
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It’s unclear exactly what incoming President-elect Donald Trump’s plans are for the airline industry.
The Senate subcommittee will hold a hearing next week, giving airline officials a chance to respond.
[Lauren]
AS WE HEAD INTO A MAJOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL WEEKEND …
LAWMAKERS SAY AIRLINES ARE RAKING-IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SO-CALLED ‘JUNK FEES.’
A U-S SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE RELEASED A REPORT TUESDAY ABOUT ALL THE EXTRA CHARGES YOU PAY WHEN YOU FLY, LIKE CHECKING BAGS OR CHOOSING YOUR SEAT.
IT FOUND FROM 20-18 TO 20-23, FIVE U-S AIRLINES MADE MORE THAN 12 BILLION DOLLARS ON SEAT SELECTION FEES ALONE.
THE REPORT SAYS FOR AN EXTRA LEGROOM SEAT …
UNITED CHARGED AS MUCH AS 319 DOLLARS
SPIRIT CHARGED UP TO 299 DOLLARS.
DELTA CHARGED AS MUCH AS 264 DOLLARS.
FRONTIER … 141 DOLLARS.
AND AMERICAN … 140 DOLLARS.
LAWMAKERS REPORT SOME OF THE FEES ARE SET UP TO AVOID TAXES.
FEDERAL LAW APPLIES A 7-5 PERCENT TAX TO PASSENGER AIR TRANSPORTATION WITH SOME AIRLINES CALLING CERTAIN SERVICES “OPTIONAL” TO BYPASS THE TAX ON THOSE CHARGES.
THE AMBIGUITY ENCOURAGES AIRLINES TO CHARGE MORE IN NON-TAXABLE FEES, WITH SOME MAXIMIZING THIS STRATEGY TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE ATTRACTING BUDGET-CONSCIOUS CUSTOMERS.
THE REPORT ALSO FOUND SOME AIRLINES, LIKE FRONTIER AND SPIRIT, REWARD AGENTS FOR CATCHING TRAVELERS NOT FOLLOWING CARRY-ON RULES.
EARLIER THIS MONTH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION STARTED RAMPING UP CONSUMER PROTECTINGS … WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSING TO BAN FAMILY SEATING JUNK FEES TO GUARANTEE PARENTS CAN SIT WITH THEIR KIDS FOR NO EXTRA CHARGE.
THIS LED TO AT LEAST FOUR AIRLINES OFFERING FEE-FREE FAMILY SEATING.
LAST WEEK, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG RESPONDED TO CRITICISM FROM AIRLINE EXECUTIVES WHO SAY THEY’RE BEING OVER REGULATED. SOT: Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretar
IT’S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT INCOMING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S PLANS ARE FOR THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.
THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE WILL HOLD A HEARING NEXT WEEK GIVING AIRLINE OFFICIALS A CHANCE TO RESPOND.
FOR SAN – I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.
FOR ALL YOUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Airlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on CNNWhat financial troubles at budget airlines could means for travelers
Click to see story on nprLawmakers call on five major airlines to stop ‘junk fees’ for baggage, seats
Click to see story on NBC ConnecticutSenate Report Blasts Airlines Over ‘Junk’ Fees: What to Know
Click to see story on Time MagazinePaul Arcand’s press review | Additional costs to travelers: Canada protects airlines
Click to see story on La PresseBlumenthal report investigates costs of airline seat, baggage fees
Click to see story on The CT MirrorUS Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Click to see story on ReutersAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on KIFISenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on CNBCSenate panel rips airlines over rising ‘junk’ fees
Click to see story on The HillSenate Targets Airlines Over $12.4 Billion Seat Fees Amid Mounting Scrutiny – American Airlines Gr (NASDAQ:AAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL)
Click to see story on BenzingaSenate panel critical of U.S. airlines for raking in billions in ‘junk fees’ ahead of December hearing
Click to see story on UPIAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on KWWLAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says
Click to see story on KESQSeat fees are now worth billions for U.S. airlines
Click to see story on Quartz‘Airlines exploiting passengers with sky high junk fees,’ CT senator’s investigation finds
Click to see story on Hartford CourantGovernment report details airline fees
Click to see story on The ManualUS senate panel slams airlines for ‘junk fees’ in latest probe
Click to see story on The Straits TimesAirline executives called to testify in hearing about ‘junk fees’ – Washington Examiner
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerSenate subcommittee slams airlines for raking in billions on seat upgrades
Click to see story on Just the NewsSenate panel slams US airlines for ‘junk’ fees, execs called to testify
Click to see story on Fox BusinessAirlines Have Earned Billions From Junk Fees, US Senate Says
Click to see story on Greek ReporterSenate Subcommittee Slams Airlines for Raking in Billions on Seat Upgrades
Click to see story on NOQ ReportSenate Subcommittee Slams Airlines for Raking in Billions on Seat Upgrades
Click to see story on America First ReportSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees – Overpasses For America
Click to see story on overpassesforamerica.comUntracked Bias
U.S. Senate report: Airlines earn huge amounts of money from seat selection fees
Click to see story on 大纪元 Epoch TimesSky-High Prices: Senate Investigates Airline Fee Practices
Click to see story on DevdiscourseUS: Airlines make billions charging ‘rubbish’, says Congress
Click to see story on in.grAirlines make billions from junk fees – ABC Columbia
Click to see story on ABC ColumbiaSenate report criticizes airlines for $12.4 billion in seat fees
Click to see story on KHQ Right NowSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on JingletreeBanks pass on the increase in transaction fees
Click to see story on Magyar HangBlumenthal report investigates costs of airline seat, baggage fees – CT Mirror
Click to see story on Quorum CallSenate Report Criticizes Airlines’ Junk Fee Practices
Click to see story on SkiftSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on SecularTimesRoundup: Airline fees / School bus driver union / Yellow Brick House
Click to see story on Business ReportSenate Subcommittee Slams Airlines for Raking in Billions on Seat Upgrades
Click to see story on Red Wave PressSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on Stockxpo – A professional network of traders, investors and analystsCongress Created The $12 Billion Airline Fee Problem—And Could End It With A Simple Tax Fix – View from the Wing
Click to see story on View from the WingReport reveals major airlines earn billions in fees – CEO North America
Click to see story on Chief Executive Officer North AmericaSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on Daily Expert NewsUS Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify – Regional Media News
Click to see story on regionalmedianews.comAirlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says #SmallBusinessSupport #Marketing #WomenInBusiness #BlackOwnedBusiness #Business
Click to see story on startupbusinessready.comSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees
Click to see story on Verve timesSenate Subcommittee Slams Airlines for Raking in Billions on Seat Upgrades
Click to see story on Uncanceled NewsUS Senate Panel Criticizes Rising Airline Seat Fees, Will Call Execs to Testify
Click to see story on abbonews.comNew US Senate Report Reveals Just How Much Airlines Are Making With ‘Junk Fees’
Click to see story on Phil's Stock WorldFinancial News Network – Senate panel slams US airlines for ‘junk’ fees, execs called to testify
Click to see story on financialnewsnetwork.comSenate report slams airlines for raking in billions in seat fees – Los Angeles Weekly Times
Click to see story on Los Angeles Weekly TimesSenate Report Challenges Airline Seat/Baggage Fees
Click to see story on AVwebSenate Panel Slams Airlines Over Soaring Seat Fees, Calls for Testimony
Click to see story on aeronewsjournal.comUS Airlines Pull in Billions a Year in ‘Junk Fees’, Senate Report Says
Click to see story on thedailyupside.comBiden Acts on Airline Junk Fees With New Mandates
Click to see story on vcpost.comTravelers United spoke at the FTC open meeting on junk fees … two years ago.
Click to see story on Travelers UnitedStraight to your inbox.
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