U.S. Department of Transportation proposes changes to airfare advertising rules

The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering a proposal to relax federal rules regarding how airlines advertise airfares. The proposed changes would amend the 2011 Full Fare Rule, which currently requires airlines, travel agencies, and ticket agents to display the total cost of a ticket—including taxes and mandatory fees—more prominently than individual components like base fares.

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has expressed support for the DOT's targeted proposal, arguing that it offers a balance by preserving transparency while removing outdated compliance burdens. ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby stated that while travelers deserve to know the full price from the outset, the federal government should not dictate every formatting decision.

However, aviation analysts and consumer advocates have raised concerns that the changes could make shopping more difficult. Critics warn that loosening restrictions on how components are displayed could allow airlines to emphasize low base fares, potentially leading consumers to be “unpleasantly surprised” by the final price once taxes and fees are added at checkout. While the proposal would still require carriers to show the total ticket price, it would grant them more flexibility in how they present that information visually.