Gallego Proposal to Ban Airline Family Seating Junk Fees Included in New DOT Rule
PHOENIX – Today, the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a new rule to ban airlines from charging junk fees for family seating. The rule comes after Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) introduced the Junk Fees Prevention Act in April 2023 to eliminate burdensome hidden fees, including charging airline passengers for seating assignments when an adult needs to sit next to an accompanying child.
“As a dad, I know first-hand that flying with kids is enough of a challenge without having to worry that you’ll be charged extra just to sit with your family,” said Rep. Gallego. “I strongly support this new rule – based on my legislation – to ban airlines from charging extra for family seating, and I’ll continue fighting for more policies like this one that cut costs for hardworking Arizonans.”
In April 2023, Rep. Gallego visited Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix to tout his Junk Fees Prevention Act, emphasizing its family seating provision.
Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed two provisions from Rep. Gallego’s Junk Fee Prevention Act to crack down on hidden fees charged by ticket sellers and hotels.