Pricing/Disclosures

CFA Supports Airline Passenger Protections In House Bill to Address COVID-19 Pandemic

Statement by Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection and Privacy, Consumer Federation of America

Washington, D.C. – The provisions in the House bill that would prohibit airlines from price gouging during natural disasters or emergencies and ensure that consumers can receive cash refunds for flights that they wish to cancel or that are cancelled by the airlines are crucial to protect consumers in situations such as we face today with the COVID-19 pandemic. We also support the requirement for airlines to report to the Department of Transportation on a quarterly basis the revenues they have received from optional fees paid by passengers that are not included in the standard ticket fares. In addition, the airlines should be required to comply with health guidelines such as those issued by the Centers for Disease Control to ensure passenger safety. The Senate should ensure these important provisions are incorporated into any relief bill.