Official Government Report on Airfares Highlights Need for Menendez's "Clear Airfares Act"

Press Release

The Government Accountability Office today released a report on airline fares, which highlighted the need for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez's (D-NJ) Clear Airfares Act. The GAO found that a lack of information at the time of airline ticket purchase often keeps air travelers in the dark about fees they will end up paying, and the GAO's recommendations include an increase in airline fee transparency when consumers search for a ticket (report available here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10785.pdf).

Menendez's Clear Airfares Act aims to bring transparency to the price of flying through a full, clear and upfront breakdown of airfares. Before a consumer purchases a ticket on the Internet, the legislation would require airlines and third-party websites to give consumers a complete and understandable breakdown of his or her particular airfare, as well as any other possible fees that might be incurred on the flight (such as baggage, seat assignments, etc.). A slightly modified version of Menendez's bill to provide such breakdowns to consumers was included in the Senate Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation, which is in the process of being merged with the House-passed bill.

"This report confirms what most families who have flown recently can tell you: hidden airline fees have gotten ridiculous," said Menendez. "Families are watching every last penny during these tough times, and it doesn't help that they get blindsided by additional fees when they show up to the airport. Whether it's a surcharge or baggage fee, families should at the very least be given a clear listing of everything they are expected to pay before they book their tickets. That's what the Clear Airfares legislation would do, and that's why I am pushing to ensure that it remains in the final version of the Federal Aviation Administration bill."

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