Major airlines sue Biden administration over fee disclosure rule

[groundloop]

Source: Reuters

Major U.S. airlines are suing the U.S. Transportation Department over a new rule requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees, the latest clash between air carriers and the Biden administration.

Lobbying group Airlines for America, along with American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), opens new tab, United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab, JetBlue Airways , Hawaiian Airlines (HA.O), opens new tab and Alaska Airlines (ALK.N), opens new tab, filed suit against the department (USDOT) in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana late on Friday, according to a copy of the suit seen by Reuters.

The USDOT issued final rules last month requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside the airfare, saying it would help consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected fees.

The airline group said in a statement on Monday the department's rule would confuse consumers and that its "attempt to regulate private business operations in a thriving marketplace is beyond its authority."

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/major-airlines-sue-biden-administration-over-fee-disclosure-rule-2024-05-13/

[FakeNoose]

1. Well of course they should disclose their fees upfront

Who do they think they are, new car dealers? Or maybe Ticketmaster? This is the new America where you can charge customers whatever you want, because nobody can afford you anyway.

[dickthegrouch]

2. Then have the Consumer Protection Agency issue a blanket ban on all junk and hidden fees

The only exceptions would be taxes calculated on the location of purchaser or services, but which must be disclosed before the payment process starts.

[orange jar]

3. the right to privacy for corporations...

…should never come before the safety and concern of the consumers. Good on the Biden admin for taking a stand.

Next, they should go after companies that claim to stop billing payments after you cancel, but still send bills months after the fact (looking at you, Vivint Home Security).

[Comfortably_Numb]

4. God damn it. 5th circuit. The magat-est, right -wingiest appeals court. I'm sure they will have an open mind.

Hashtag sarcasm. Uncle Slappy and Father Alito are gonna have a chubby thinking about torpedoing another Biden initiative. Our courts are a god damn joke….

[GB_RN]

7. You Can Count On Those Two Opposing Anything Good For The Public.

Scammy Alito will tell Uncle Slappy how to vote and/or what to write in the opinion/dissent.

Unless Roberts joins in with them in a majority opinion, then Slappy gets the (dubious) privilege of writing it due to seniority. Of course, if Roberts writes it, Slappy may well write a…hmmm…for lack of a better word, concurrence, that just agrees with the decision but gives Medieval “reasoning” behind it.

Scammy and Slappy have to be the absolute worst SCOTUS justices since Taney, and each is probably more corrupt than any 10 put together.

[angrychair]

5. Last couple of days

Has been interesting. You have banks sung the government the government to charge all the fees they want.
Now the airlines are suing to maintain hidden fees because it will only confuse people.

Corporations have made it clear whos side they are on.

[RobinA]

9. It Should Be Interesting

to see what their arguments are in the case of the airlines.

[Martin68]

6. I don't think "the right to hide your actual fees from customer" is a good look.

[GB_RN]

8. Certainly Not.

But shareholder value and executive compensation is now the be-all, end-all for corporations today. However they can underhandedly grift, graft or grab it, or straight up slap you with it (á la, bank late fees), they’re going to do it. And they’ll protect their income streams no matter what, or how bad it looks because they know how short an attention span most of the public has. Add to that the fact that the news media will drop this story within a week, and welp, there goes the public pressure…🤬🙄🤦‍♂️