The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule on July 1 rescinding a requirement that airlines and booking sites display baggage and change fees the first time fares appear in a search. The rule, effective July 2, restores the disclosure standard that was in place before 2024, when fee transparency requirements were tightened.
Under the new standard, airlines must still publish baggage fee information on their own websites and note that additional fees may apply, but they are no longer required to show the dollar amount for a first checked bag, second checked bag, carry-on, or ticket change alongside the fare the moment it appears across booking channels.
The change comes as several carriers have raised bag fees this year. Southwest ended its longstanding free-bags policy in 2026, with first and second checked bags now costing $45 and $55 for most fare types, while other major airlines have added roughly $10 to checked-bag prices industry wide.
Consumer advocates have criticized the rollback, arguing it makes it harder for travelers to comparison-shop on true trip cost. Travelers booking flights should check an airline’s baggage policy directly before purchasing a ticket rather than relying on the price shown in initial search results, particularly when comparing budget carriers.
Sources: Deep Arrival, Newsweek
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