The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently evaluating a “lengthy series of requests” from major airlines that would allow them to hide ancillary fees for consumers as they’re searching for tickets, according to Bloomberg.

In particular, airlines are asking the DOT to repeal rules implemented by former President Barack Obama’s administration that require “full-fare advertising,” Bloomberg reports. The move stems from efforts by third-party booking platforms—like Google or Kayak—which rely on airline data to provide accurate prices for travelers, as well as on-time flight and cancellation information during the ticket-purchasing process.
But a major lobbying group for the industry, Airlines 4 America (representing the likes of United and American Airlines), argues the rules are “cumbersome” for the industry, which raked in $7 billion in fees in 2017 alone.


In December the airlines sent a lengthy series of requests to the U.S. Department of Transportation that’s being evaluated. Among the priorities: repealing rules that mandate “full-fare advertising” and eliminating the requirement to display on-time flight and cancellation data during the fare-purchase process. In other words, they’re hoping to conceal the data that power third-party distribution channels—and all their shiny new features.
A representative for Airlines 4 America, the leading industry group, tells Bloomberg that the current requirements are “cumbersome” and “add clutter and complexity to the booking screen.”

Yes, when I go looking for a flight, and I come across more accurate pricing and departure information, I tend to freak the fu$@! out and close the screen. It’s just too complex. Surely, you all do the same, right?