WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — In a heated Senate hearing, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) sharply criticized senior executives from major U.S. airlines for what he described as a “horrible” flying experience for passengers. The hearing, titled “The Sky’s the Limit – New Revelations About Airline Fees,” brought together representatives from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines to discuss the proliferation of ancillary fees, often referred to as “junk fees.”
Hawley outlined all the issues, from unknown surcharges to aggressive enforcement of its bag policies, that he called harassment. He recounts during the pandemic, how the flight attendant threatened his wife by telling her she’d lose her ability to fly ever again because their child wouldn’t wear a mask appropriately, and how that can be stressful for airlines towards families.
Recently, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, under Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, chair, released its report stating that airlines already bring in billions in fees that were previously covered by price – seat selection fees, fees for checking and other “services.” Reportedly from 2018 to 2023, airlines drew in $12.4 billion from seating fees only. The subcommittee chastised the policy of segregating family seats and fees for basic services, surmising these fees not to be warranted by a cost to the airlines through “operational cost.”.
One of the areas of focus was Frontier Airlines’ practice of paying gate agents up to $10 for each oversized bag they flag, which the company defended as a means of ensuring compliance with rules. Spirit Airlines was also criticized for its fee structures, even though it maintained that it was transparent and fair. The report focused on customer frustrations over the “unbundling” of ticket prices, which often leads to surprise costs during travel.
The airlines have defended their practices, stating that these fees are optional and allow customers to customize their travel experience. Industry representatives also pointed to historically low average fares, even when accounting for additional fees. Delta emphasized its commitment to customer satisfaction, while Frontier argued that its policies ensure fairness for rule-abiding passengers.
