New airfare rules start this week
Feds: Hidden fees no longer allowed on advertised prices
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Thursday will be the start of a new era in air travel. Airlines will no longer be allowed to advertise prices without showing all of the fees.
New rules from the U.S. Transportation Department will require that advertised prices include taxes and mandatory fees.
Currently, airlines just have to note that other charges apply, and provide a link or footnote to the details. The new rules will make fares easier to understand.
Government and airport charges can add 20 percent or more to the price of an airline ticket.
Airlines protested that other industries don't have to include taxes in advertised prices. And they worry about the effect on ticket sales.
Southwest, Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air are fighting the government in court, hoping to roll back the rule, but a decision in that case is not expected until after the rule takes effect.
Transportation Department officials have been cracking down on airlines that, in their view, failed to make it clear enough that extra taxes and fees would be added to the advertised price.
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