End Airline Extortion Act

Bill: 118-s-5470
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2024-12-10
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5470 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 10, 2024 Mr. Hawley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, to prohibit air carriers from paying ancillary fee incentives and discriminating on the basis of a covered characteristic in charging or setting fares or ancillary fees, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the End Airline Extortion Act . 2. Prohibitions relating to payment of ancillary fee incentives and discriminating on the basis of a covered characteristic (a) In general Chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 42309. Prohibitions relating to payment of ancillary fee incentives and discriminating on the basis of a covered characteristic (a) Prohibition relating to payment of ancillary fee incentives No air carrier or foreign air carrier shall provide any payment, incentive, fee, or other benefit to any employee, contractor, or other person working on behalf of the carrier as a direct result of that employee, contractor, or person requiring a passenger of the carrier to pay an additional fee related to baggage, seating, or other add-on service as a condition of boarding a flight of the carrier. (b) Prohibition relating to discriminating on the basis of a covered characteristic No air carrier or foreign air carrier shall discriminate on the basis of a covered characteristic in charging or setting fares or ancillary fees to passengers on the same flight for the same service. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Add-on service The term add-on service means any service that a passenger or consumer may add to a flight booking for an additional cost, or may purchase as an in-flight service, including seating options, baggage, beverages, food, early boarding, lounge access, internet or wifi access, or any other service determined appropriate by the Secretary. (2) Covered characteristic The term covered characteristic means, with respect to a passenger, disability status, familial status, or any characteristic included in section 40127(a) of title 49, United States Code. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. . (b) Rule of construction No air carrier or foreign air carrier shall be liable for violating section 42309(b) of title 49, United States Code, (as added by subsection (a)) on the basis of any policies or actions of the carrier permitting the carriage of a minor child on a flight of that carrier at no charge or a reduced charge. (c) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 42308 the following: 42309. Prohibitions relating to payment of ancillary fee incentives and discriminating on the basis of a covered characteristic. .