Washington - Spirit Airlines has announced a new surcharge of $45 each way per carry-on bag. U.S. Senator Menendez (D-NJ) is the author of the Clear Airfares Act, which would direct airline and travel websites to provide consumers with a clear and upfront breakdown of all surcharges and fees they might have to pay and which was included in the Senate-passed Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. He released the following statement in response to the carry-on fee announcement:

"This is getting absurd. What will the airlines think up next, a fee for reclining your seat?," said Menendez. "Just as families are ready to board their flight, they are blindsided by extra fees that substantially increase their total cost of travel. I am concerned that middle-class families are getting priced out of flying. The way it's going, unless you're willing to pack only a toothbrush, bringing a bag for a week at grandma's house is going to cost you an arm and a leg. This is the last thing consumers need in these tough times when money is already tight.

"If airlines insist on hitting consumers with these fees, then they should disclose all of them up front. I authored the Clear Airfares Act, so consumers have a complete and understandable breakdown of their total airfare before purchasing their ticket, and I was pleased to get a version of my legislation included in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that the Senate passed in March. I am working to ensure that this provision survives in conference, so clear and straightforward airfares can be the law of the land."

A version of S. 2823, the Clear Airfares Act, was included in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill in the Senate. The Senate and House of Representatives now must negotiate and pass a final version of the FAA bill before it goes to President Barack Obama to be signed into law. The Menendez Clear Airfares provision would direct the Department of Transportation to formulate rules that require airlines or third-party websites to clearly and conspicuously disclose any fees, charges or surcharges, including holiday fees, for consumers to be able to clearly view before having to input their name and credit card information.

This provision was co-sponsored by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jim Webb (D-VA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). It gained the support of major consumer groups including:

• Consumer Federation of America: http://menendez.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ConsumerFederationClearAirfares.pdf

• Consumer Travel Alliance: http://menendez.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ConsumerTravelAllianceClearAirfares.pdf

• FlyersRights.org: http://menendez.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FlyersRightsClearAirfares.pdf


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