Media Room
Media Room
Release date 09/06/2015
WASHINGTON - Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, today praised a new congressional report that shines a spotlight on the airline industry and its failure to disclose extra fees and add-on costs. The report prepared by the minority staff of the Senate Commerce Committee recommends a series of reforms to require greater transparency from the airline industry.
William J. McGee, travel and aviation consultant for Consumers Union, said, "Consumers Union is pleased the senators have chronicled the frustration felt by millions of air travelers who are continually faced with new and higher fees from U.S. airlines for everything from checked bags to seat assignments. For years now, Consumers Union has been outspoken about the lack of transparency when it comes to the actual price of your airline ticket. This report shows how this nickel-and-diming has become a $38 billion cash cow for the airline industry. The report’s recommendations are sound and sensible, and they would help strike a blow against ‘fare shock.’”
__________
Consumers Union is the public policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports. Consumers Union works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.
Media Contact:
David Butler, Consumers Union, 202.462.6262 or dbutler@consumer.org