DOT moves to undo airline fee disclosures and flight-delay compensation rules

Since taking office in January 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has overseen the rollback of multiple airline consumer safeguards introduced under the previous administration. The DOT plans to drop a requirement that airlines show ancillary fees, such as baggage charges, next to the advertised fare, a rule that was previously blocked by airlines and vacated by a court. A separate proposal would alter a long-standing mandate that the total ticket price appear in larger font than taxes and fees.

Moreover, a new rule set to take effect on October 19 will remove airline liability for ten specific types of flight disruptions, ranging from aircraft cleaning after a passenger death to cyber-attacks, thereby limiting cash compensation for affected travelers. Consumer advocacy group FlyersRights.org and Senator Richard Blumenthal have criticized the moves as favoring airlines and potentially deceiving passengers. The DOT, however, asserts that the changes aim to protect carriers from reputational harm linked to events beyond their control and that no passenger rights are being diminished.