Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned airline executives over their use of additional fees and customer policies during a recent hearing. He raised concerns about practices that he described as "predatory," aimed at increasing profits from travelers.

Hawley addressed Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle, asking about reports that the company pays its gate agents to enforce carry-on bag policies by stopping customers from bringing bags onto planes without paying extra fees. “About nine months ago, your chief commercial officer testified to me that Frontier pays its gate agents bounties to stop paying customers from carrying bags onto the plane. Is this still happening?” Hawley asked.

Biffle responded, “Not at the rate it was . . . We do offer incentives and commissions, to stop people who didn’t pay.”

Hawley replied, “You’re still paying them money to harass customers from bringing bags onto the airline by saying it was too big or doesn’t fit in a little box, or whatever the case may be, you’re still doing it . . . This has gotta be the only business in the world I have heard of that pays your people to harass your own customers.”

The senator also questioned Allegiant Airlines CEO Greg Anderson regarding family seating fees for children under 13. Hawley asked, “Your airline apparently, is charging additional fees. I just want to know, are you still doing that?”

Anderson answered, “You’re not wrong. There are some technology issues that we’re working through. We transformed our system, but we will look into this.”

Hawley continued his line of questioning on how airlines are using artificial intelligence and dynamic seat pricing practices to increase profit margins.

The full hearing is available for viewing online.