The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has established new pro-consumer rules that include compensation of baggage fees and involuntary bumping passenger, to go into effect on Aug. 23. The new rules will require airlines to refund baggage fees for lost luggage and make it more expensive to involuntarily bump passengers due to overselling of flights. There would also be fines for jets sitting on the tarmac for longer than four hours. While consumer rights groups have praised the actions, the airline industry has been outspoken in their disapproval. Spirit Airlines, along with Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines, are challenging several provisions, particularly one that would require airlines to include all fees in advertised prices. This provision was brought by the DOT to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Aug. 4 claiming that including the fees in advertised prices would better inform the consumer of the true cost of travel.
