DOT Proposes Rollback of Obama-Era Airfare Marketing Rule

The Department of Transportation is proposing a rule that would repeal the requirements on how airlines advertise their airfares. 

The rule would undo a 2011 regulation from the Obama administration, which required airlines to more prominently display the total fare, including all taxes and fees, compared to the components when advertising. The DOT is also proposing to remove another regulation that required the advertised total fare to be in a larger font size than the components of the airfare. 

“These proposed changes would ensure greater flexibility in how airfare is displayed while ensuring information is presented clearly to consumers,” reads the proposed rule, which was released on Tuesday.