The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has scrapped a rule that required airlines and online travel agencies to display ancillary fees alongside airfares.
The rule, introduced in 2024, was intended to make it easier for consumers to compare the true cost of airfares before booking. However, a US appeals court overturned it earlier this year after finding that regulators had not provided airlines with an adequate opportunity to comment on the regulation. The withdrawal, published by the DOT in the US Federal Register, took effect on July 2.
As a result, the DOT has reinstated the previous rules in which airlines must still inform passengers about baggage fees and other optional charges, but they no longer have to show them during the initial flight search.
Instead, flight listings only need to indicate that additional baggage or service fees may apply and direct customers to where the information can be found. The fees can be displayed later in the booking process or on the airline’s website.
