American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines are teaming up backing changes that would change the way passengers are protected. Their trade group, Airlines for America (A4A), says this push is a way to lower costs and boost competition under the long-standing Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. But many consumers, traveling families, passengers with disabilities, and fans of low-cost carriers are worrying the result are going to be more surprise fees and fewer clear rights.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT), the Biden Administration, and industry lobbyists are all in the mix.
Surveys show most flyers report being satisfied overall, and that they still want simple and upfront pricing. That’s exactly where airlines now want fewer rules. According to a report from Travel and Tour World carriers are seeking to “remove key protections for passengers and add more fees by rolling back rules,” which is obviously raising alarms: travelers could pay more for less accountability.
Which protections are being threatened?
According to the letter highlighted in coverage of the proposal, airlines are pressing to eliminate several specific safeguards:
- Automatic refunds for canceled flights.
- A law requiring that all costs, including those for baggage and seat choices, be disclosed upfront.
- Promise that young children can sit with their parents without having to pay more for seats next to them.
- Help and support for travelers with disabilities.
The airlines says that these regulations were created through a defective procedure and go beyond the power of the regulator.
On fee transparency, the lobbyists wrote: “It was arbitrary and capricious because the DOT failed to establish that there was a problem that needed solving and lacked support that the rules’ benefits exceeded the costs to consumers.” He also points out that competition should be driving airline behavior and customer service, in line with the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. They added, “President Trump’s deregulatory agenda aligns with Congress’s nearly 50-year mandate in the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, [which established a rule that] airlines’ commercial behavior and customer service should be driven by competition, not regulation.”
Why people are concerned
According to Travel & Tour World, “there is a serious concern that deregulation could lead to more surprise charges and less accountability for airlines, even though some might agree that competition can drive prices down.”
Passengers have complained about “junk” or hidden costs for years, and surveys indicate that 86% of the people questioned are in favor of laws obligating airlines to publish the total cost of tickets up front.
Losing the assurance of parents sitting next to their little children can turn regular vacations into a nightmare, and not just for the parents and kids, but for the people sitting next to them, or add additional expenses for families. Reducing assistance would be taking away basic safety travel for passengers with disabilities, which would just be completely unfair. Additionally, customers who rely on low-cost airlines to keep offering affordable prices may find it more difficult to make real comparisons since add-ons become more common and transparency rules become less strict.
What’s going to happen with the policies is still uncertain.
The consequences are real for travelers: when flights are canceled, automatic refunds reduce stress and save time. Fair prices comparison and knowing how much the flying costs is even what makes the holiday happen or not for some. Sitting children are with their parents is not only onboard but piece of mind, why would it cost more?. Additionally, consistent support for passengers with disabilities means access to air travel.
If they remove these safeguards or make then additional fees, low-cost won’t b’ low cost anymore.. and they would be taking away the opportunity to fly for some.