‘It’s offensive’: GOP senator wages war on airline industry’s ‘discriminatory pricing’ targets

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has introduced a new bill that could change the landscape of airline pricing and customer service. The bill, known as the End Airline Extortion Act, aims to prohibit airlines from offering employee incentives tied to extra fees and to ban discriminatory pricing practices.

Under the proposed legislation, airlines would be barred from providing bonuses or payments to employees for charging passengers additional fees for services like baggage, seat selection, or other optional amenities as a condition of boarding a flight. Additionally, the bill seeks to eliminate discrimination in fare pricing or ancillary fees based on protected characteristics, including disability status and familial status.

Hawley has been vocal about his concerns regarding how airlines treat their customers, likening the experience to being treated like cattle. He believes that the current practices of airlines, including charging different prices for the same flights and offering incentives to employees to upsell passengers, are offensive and need to be addressed through legislation.

This bill comes on the heels of a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations where airline executives were grilled by Hawley for what he described as a “disaster” flying experience for passengers. The senator criticized the executives for increasing fees on customers and creating a terrible flying experience. He emphasized that flying on airlines is not enjoyable for most people and called for changes to be made.

Following the hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., echoed the bipartisan frustration with airlines, stating that outrage at their practices is shared across party lines.

In conclusion, Sen. Hawley’s proposed End Airline Extortion Act aims to overhaul the airline industry’s pricing and customer service practices. By prohibiting employee incentives tied to extra fees and banning discriminatory pricing, the bill seeks to improve the flying experience for passengers and ensure fair treatment for all. The bipartisan frustration with airlines underscores the need for change in the industry, as both lawmakers and customers alike are calling for reforms to be implemented.