Senate Scrutinizes Airline 'Junk Fees' and Passenger Costs

U.S. airline executives from major carriers like American, Delta, and United are set to defend their seating fees before a Senate panel, following accusations of charging "junk" fees to generate billions in revenue. The fees, which have totaled $12.4 billion from 2018 to 2023, are for seats with extra legroom or preferred locations. While airlines argue these fees are voluntary and clearly communicated, the Biden administration and some lawmakers aim to reduce such charges. The hearing will also feature testimony from executives of Spirit and Frontier, known for their fee-based models.