Passengers sue airline over ‘usage’ fees
US low cost carrier, Spirit Airlines, is being sued by a passenger over "usage" fees.
USA Today and McClatchy Newspapers are reporting that a passenger has started a class action suit against the airline, claiming the fee is "fraudulent, deceptive and unconscionable".
Law firm Podhurst Orseck, representing the plaintiff, says the fees have no value and are presented by the airline as if they are government-required, when they are not.
Spirit Airlines is dismissing the allegations of fraudulent activity, saying the fee is collected for tickets sold through its primary sales distribution channels, such as its website, to cover transaction costs and other third-party expenses.
USA Today reports that the fee can be avoided by buying tickets at the airport counter. They also say that Spirit will have to prove that they are not deliberately deceiving the buying public into believing the fee is a mandated government tax.
by Gretchen Kelly, Editor TravelMole US
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season