Airline Fees Stir New Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

Excessive fees on connecting flights and other inconveniences that customers cannot avoid has led to a class action lawsuit investigation, which has caused some airlines to consider lightening up on the extra fees they impose on customers. But it may be too late to avoid lawsuits that would allege travelers in some cases were unfairly charged.

These charges, called “junk fees” by customers, are one of the main pillars propping up the travel industry.  The airline industry calls this practice “unbundling” or removing essential components of the product from the base price of the trip, which makes it appear cheaper.  While excessive as some the charges may appear, most airlines would argue that the extra funding is needed to operate efficiently for the customer’s well-being.  Unfortunately, legal experts have argued that airlines have become so dependent on these fees, that some customers are being charged large and dishonest fees while getting nothing extra in return.

For example, one woman was charged $20 per person for confirmed seating, to ensure she and her family could sit together.  Many airlines charge an additional fee for a coach seat in front of the cabin or for exit-row seats, which offer additional legroom.  So this fee was not unexpected, but when the woman boarded with her family, it was discovered that it was not a full flight and that they could have sat together without the fee.  When the woman’s husband asked for a refund, it was denied.

This mother and many other customers have similar grievances about allegedly deceitful pricing of airlines, and often try to get refunds for the fees; most commonly for connecting flights and baggage.  Airline industry representatives explain that these fees are good because they are optional for the customer, and lower the cost of airline travel overall, while ensuring the airline’s profitability.

These fees have become so intolerable to some customers that some have begun seeking legal action.  In response, some airlines have started dialing down some of the fees, and have become more forthcoming with customers about the actual amount they will be charged.

Overview of Airline Fees

Spirit Airlines was hit with a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Miami in 2012 which claimed that the airline misled customers to pay extra fees by implying that the fees were required by the government.  The Miami law firm that has filed the lawsuit alleges that the defendant’s fees were baseless and misleading.

While Florida airports are known for excessive travel fees, Spirit Airlines allegedly misrepresented the cost of the airfare by hiding the extra charges under the guise of a government-required tax or fee.  The law firm estimates that as many as 20 million customers could have been affected by this charge over a four- to six-year period.

The lawsuit is still pending, but is an example of airlines being accused of using underhanded tactics to collect additional fees.  Additionally, some customers report that they were coerced or forced into paying a fee that they had not agreed to.

Join a Free Class Action Lawsuit Investigation into Airline Fees

If you booked a domestic flight online for a flight that had a connecting city, you may have paid more than you should have for your ticket. You may qualify to join the Airline Fees, Connecting City Charges, Class Action Lawsuit Investigation and pursue compensation for your damages.  Consumer fraud lawyers are investigating the pricing practices of certain American airlines, including Delta, United and American.