Airlines trying to stop Biden from enforcing ‘junk fees’ rule

Six carriers filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block a new rule that would affect fees for luggage and changing reservations

Several of the country’s largest airlines are challenging a new Biden administration rule that would force them to disclose certain fees as part of the upfront cost of airfare. The government describes these charges, which are added for luggage and changes to reservations, as “surprise junk fees.”

Key takeaways

• In a petition filed Friday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, the trade group Airlines for America and six airlines asked for the ancillary fee rule to be vacated because they say it is “arbitrary, capricious” and outside the authority of the Transportation Department;
• The group of airlines on the petition includes American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska and Hawaiian. In a statement Monday, Airlines for America said implementing the rule will only confuse customers and complicate shopping for flights;
• The rule was finalized last month after an 18-month process and is set to go into effect on July 1. The Transportation Department says it could save consumers more than $500 million a year. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, airlines collected nearly $5.5 billion in baggage fees last year.

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