Senate Report Criticizes Airlines for Profiting from 'Junk Fees'

A year-long investigation reveals hidden costs, alleged tax avoidance, and worsening experiences for air travelers.

The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released a report alleging that U.S. airlines generate billions in revenue from ancillary fees, often unrelated to the actual cost of services provided.
The report highlights practices like 'dynamic pricing' and 'unbundling,' which make it harder for consumers to compare prices and increase overall travel costs.
Certain fees, such as those for families to sit together or for carry-on baggage, are described as unavoidable and not truly optional, raising concerns about transparency.
The report accuses airlines of using these fees to avoid paying federal transportation taxes, reducing funding for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
The subcommittee recommends stronger fee disclosure requirements, investigations into potential abuses, and stricter enforcement of tax rules, with airline executives set to testify on December 4.