US Airways - July 2014 - (Page 6)
Perspective
embark
Thank You for
Flying with US
In Support of Transparent Airfares
#
Did you know that
nearly one quarter
of the price you paid for
your ticket today went to
the U.S. government?
While the average cost of
airfare has actually declined since 2000, government taxes and fees have
increased, and the result
is higher prices to the consumer. Working with
Congress, American
Airlines is trying to change
this lack of transparency
so our customers can see
the real cost of the ticket,
including how much goes
to taxes and fees.
This legislation is necessary because two years
ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation enacted
a regulation that requires airlines to include mandatory government taxes and fees in all advertised
fares. As a result, when you see an advertised airfare
- on aa.com or elsewhere - taxes and fees are
included in the total price of the ticket. There is no
breakdown of the base airfare versus the taxes and
fees collected by the federal government.
The current law has allowed the government to
increase taxes invisibly on airline passengers, causing
fares to appear significantly higher than they really
FULL DISCLOSURE: Federal aviation taxes and fees make up more than
20 percent of an advertised fare, but airlines aren't able to clearly present
this to consumers. Visit airfaretransparency.com to tell the Administration,
members of Congress, and the DOT that you support a policy that does
not require airlines to hide tax and fee increases from consumers.
6
JULY 2014
usairwaysmag.com
are. In fact, the base price of an airline ticket has
actually decreased in recent years. Since 2000, the
average base airfare has gone down 8 percent while
government-imposed taxes and fees have increased
49 percent. Today, nearly one-fourth of the price
of a roundtrip domestic airline ticket goes to the
federal government, but we are only allowed to tell
you that in the fine print.
The DOT's fare-advertising rule also makes the
cost of your airline ticket appear to be priced less
competitively than other forms of transportation
such as buses, rail, and rental cars, where no such
rule exists. In fact, this approach differs from any
other consumer product from food and clothing to
entertainment and hotels.
The Transparent Airfares Act, which was recently
introduced with strong bipartisan support in the
U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to unbundle the
advertised price of airfares and allow customers to
better see what they're paying and where their money
is going. The Transparent Airfares Act would allow
airlines to show base airfares in advertisements,
while clearly and separately disclosing governmentimposed taxes and fees as well as the total cost of the
ticket. I can assure you that at American Airlines, you
will never be asked to finalize a purchase without
knowing the full price of the ticket, including all
federal taxes and fees. But with this legislation, you
will be better informed to know exactly what you are
paying for in advance. And by disclosing the taxes
and fees we hope to keep the increases in check.
Visit airfaretransparency.com today to tell the
Administration, members of Congress, and the DOT
that you support a policy that does not require airlines to hide tax and fee increases from consumers.
On behalf of American's more than 100,000
employees worldwide, thank you for flying with us
today. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Doug Parker
Chairman and CEO
American Airlines
http://www.aa.com
http://www.airfaretransparency.com
http://www.airfaretransparency.com
http://www.usairwaysmag.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - July 2014
Table of Contents
Perspective: CEO Letter
From the Editor
Making It Happen?
Hot Spots: Best Wellness Retreats
Great Escapes: Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina
Great Escapes: Barceló Hotels and Resorts
Wine & Dine: Edible Spirits
Style Spotlight: Patriotic Pride
Gear Up: Summer Play
Getaway: Sugar Mountain, North Carolina
Adventure: Surf School
Connections: Everybody's Business
Travel Feature: Athens, Greece
Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail
Chefs Tell
Down to Business
Special Section: Vibrant San Diego
To Your Health: Joint Revitalization
Special Section: North Carolina's High Country
Best of Health: Miami Foot & Ankle Surgery
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Audio Entertainment
Video Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
oneworld alliance
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Window or Aisle?
US Airways - July 2014
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