Frontier Airlines Sued For $100 Million Over Hidden Fees

The lawsuit alleges that the airline hides total fees under other fee systems that aren’t immediately shown.

A Florida woman has filed a $100-million class action lawsuit against Denver-based Frontier Airlines on the basis that the passenger carrier engages in deceptive practices to make its fares seem lower than they are. 

Trouble Amid Expansion

This lawsuit comes in the middle of Frontier Airlines' plan to rapidly expand its route capacity. The airline recently launched new routes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). These new routes fly from San Francisco to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). 

The routes directly compete with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines flights but will offer a new lower-cost option. The Frontier Airlines Senior Vice President of Commercial, Daniel Shurz, spoke on the expansion, saying:

"We’re proud to celebrate new service from SFO to these exciting Midwestern destinations. Affordable travel options have arrived for those in San Francisco thanks to Frontier’s ‘Low Fares Done Right.”

The airline also launched new flights from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The route, which was launched on June 16th, is flown four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The airline, which will use an Airbus A320neo, will carry nearly 750 passengers a week to Raleigh. Shurz commented on this route as well, stating:

"Our growth at Chicago Midway continues, and we couldn’t be more excited. Chicagoans now have an easy and affordable way to reach Raleigh-Durham via Frontier’s ‘Low Fares Done Right.'"

Hidden Baggage Fees

The lawsuit, filed by Amira Hamad in U.S. District Court in Orlando, says Frontier is not the low-cost airline it claims to be.

"Frontier is not a budget airline. Frontier does not have the lowest airfares," the complaint reads. "Frontier just breaks its fees into tiny little pieces and checkpoints to water down the appearance of what is actually an average airfare when combined and compared to the industry."

The complaint says the airline uses "bait-and-switch" and "gotcha" tactics intended to "confuse, trick and trap consumers."

One example given in the lawsuit is that the airline claims to offer one free personal item as long as it fits within certain dimensions. However, the actual measuring instrument at the gate is much smaller than advertised. It also alleges that Frontier gives its gatekeepers bonuses for each personal item they charge at the gates. 

The complaint says Frontier does not make its fee structure clear if it chooses to inform consumers of a fee structure at the time of purchase in the first place. This is especially when the tickets are purchased through third-party vendors. 
 

"Frontier's fees are not conspicuously shown on its website or on the websites of third-party vendors," states the lawsuit, "and consumers are often unaware of Frontier's large and plentiful fees until after they purchase a ticket that initially appeared attractive." The complaint also says Frontier's baggage fee structure is misleading and confusing and is intended to get customers to pay "significant hidden fees."

The lawsuit seeks punitive damages of $100 million "to deter Frontier and other airlines from further similar conduct." As Frontier invests in other routes, it appears that the airline will also have to invest in its legal team as well.