DOT gives airlines extra time to gripe on fares
Published Date: 7/31/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is extending the comment end date for interested persons to submit comments to its proposed rule on Enhancing Flexibility of Air Fare Price Advertising from July 31, 2026, to August 21, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Consider Repealing Full Fare Rule
The Department solicited comment on whether to repeal the "full fare rule" that requires advertised passenger air fares to be the entire price to be paid (including taxes). The NPRM (July 1, 2026; 91 FR 39932) noted that it did not propose specific repeal text and referenced Internal Revenue Code standards for displaying taxes.
Allow Showing Total Fare Equally
The Department proposed that the total air fare, including taxes and fees, may be displayed with the same prominence as any individual fare component. This proposal appeared in the NPRM published July 1, 2026 (91 FR 39932).
Rescind Nine Advertising Guidance Documents
The Department proposed rescinding nine air fare price advertising guidance documents it described as outdated, unnecessary, or de facto regulations issued without notice-and-comment. The proposal was included in the NPRM published July 1, 2026 (91 FR 39932).
Remove Size Restriction On Price Components
The Department proposed eliminating a prescriptive rule that fare components may not be presented in the same or larger size as the total price. This change was described in the NPRM published July 1, 2026 (91 FR 39932).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13805, Pipeline Safety: Repair Criteria for Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Pipelines
The government wants to update pipeline safety rules to make fixing gas and liquid pipelines smarter, safer, and cheaper. These changes affect pipeline operators who’ll use new tech and clearer guidelines to spot and repair problems faster. Comments are open until September 8, 2026, so get ready to weigh in before the rules get final—and yes, this could save money and prevent accidents!
2026-13675, Airline Refunds and Other Consumer Protections
If your flight gets a new flight number but still flies on time without big changes, airlines don’t have to treat it as canceled or give you a refund right away. This rule helps airlines and passengers by giving the government more time to update the official cancellation rules. This change affects anyone buying plane tickets and lasts until July 7, 2027.
2026-13450, Increasing Flexibility on Disclosure of Airline Ancillary Fees
The Department of Transportation is rolling back its 2024 rule about how airlines must share extra fees, like baggage or seat upgrades, with travelers. This change affects airlines and passengers by returning to the older 2011 rules for fee disclosure starting July 2, 2026. It means airlines have more flexibility in how they show these fees, and travelers might see less detailed info for now.
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13294, Enhancing Flexibility of Air Fare Price Advertising
The Department of Transportation wants to make air fare ads more flexible by letting airlines show total prices, including taxes and fees, just as boldly as the parts that make up the fare. This change affects airlines and travelers by making price info clearer and easier to understand. Comments on this proposal are open until July 31, 2026, and it could shake up how airfares are advertised without costing extra money.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15458, Civil Money Penalty for Actions in Contempt of an Immigration Judge's Proper Exercise of Authority
This notice of proposed rulemaking ("NPRM") would implement a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA" or "the Act") that authorizes Immigration Judges, under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, to sanction by civil money penalty any action (or inaction) in contempt of the proper exercise of their authority by certain individuals. The rule would: define the scope of the contempt authority; provide procedures for contempt findings, penalty determinations, and penalty payment; establish an appellate process; and implement oversight of the use of contempt authority. The rule would also make conforming changes to the grounds for practitioner discipline.
Next: 2026-15532, Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Engines
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-26-01, which applies to all CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Model CFM56-7B engines. AD 2018-26-01 requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections or eddy current inspections of certain fan blades for crack indications and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement with parts eligible for installation. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-26-01, CFM issued updated service material providing improvements to the ultrasonic inspection procedures and expanding the inspection area. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections or eddy current inspections of certain fan blades for crack indications and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement with parts eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.