Airline Ancillary Fee Disclosure Rules

Current understanding

Federal regulations govern how airlines and ticket agents disclose ancillary service fees (e.g., baggage, seat selection, change/cancellation) to consumers. A 2024 DOT rule expanded transparency requirements but was vacated by the Fifth Circuit; DOT has issued a final rule reverting to the pre-2024 (2011-era) disclosure standards. Status: 2011 standards in force following 2024 rule vacatur and DOT restoration.

Evidence log

• 2026-07-02 — Increasing Flexibility on Disclosure of Airline Ancillary Fees: cross-connection with dot-aviation-consumer-protection-enforcement: Both fall under DOT’s aviation consumer protection authority; enforcement procedures and disclosure substance are the two levers being adjusted in parallel. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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