Spirit Airlines to pay $8.25 million after class action lawsuit over baggage fees of up to $100 intended to ‘deceive and entrap consumers’
- A group of new airline passengers who had booked their trips on third-party travel sites between 2011 and 2017 sued the airline six years ago.
- They claimed that the hand luggage fees imposed by the low-cost airline were a surprise and intentionally hidden for profit.
- The lawsuit said Spirit’s “bait and switch” tactics are designed to confuse, deceive and entrap consumers.
Spirit Airlines has agreed to pay up to $8.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by passengers over sneaky baggage fees of up to $100.
A group of new travelers to the airline who booked their trips on third-party travel sites between 2011 and 2017 sued the airline six years ago.
They claimed that the hand luggage fees imposed by the low-cost airline were a surprise and intentionally hidden for profit.
The lawsuit said Spirit’s “bait and switch” tactics are designed to confuse, deceive and entrap consumers.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys disclosed the deal in a motion Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn and asked a judge to approve it, saying it “represents a fair compromise.”
Spirit Airlines has agreed to pay up to $8.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by passengers over sneaky baggage fees of up to $100.
A group of new airline passengers who had booked their trips on third-party travel sites between 2011 and 2017 sued the airline six years ago.
They claimed that the hand luggage fees imposed by the low-cost airline were a surprise and intentionally hidden for profit.
In the lawsuit, the travelers accused Spit of misleadingly advertising low prices on travel websites that did not disclose the baggage fees passengers would have to pay at the airport.
“Spirit misled the plaintiff and many other consumers, and continues to mislead consumers into believing that they are buying low-cost airline tickets, when in fact, Spirit is compensating for the discount it purports to provide consumers with fraudulent and unwarranted charges,” the lawsuit states. .
“Spirit’s bait and switch tactics are designed to confuse, deceive and entrap consumers at the expense of the public. »
According to the lawsuit, those who did not pre-pay for carry-on baggage could be required to pay $100 at the gate to have their luggage on board, although pre-checked baggage generally costs around $40.
“Spirit’s fares are not clearly listed on its website or on the websites of third-party sellers, and consumers often become aware of Spirit’s high and plentiful fares only after purchasing a ticket that initially seemed attractive,” supported the defendants in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit said Spirit’s “bait and switch” tactics are designed to confuse, deceive and entrap consumers.
Travelers accused Spit of misleadingly advertising low prices on travel sites that did not disclose the baggage fees passengers would have to pay at the airport.
They said these fees were sometimes as high as the tickets themselves. The plaintiffs initially sought $100 million in punitive damages, though that sum was dropped in a later version of the lawsuit.
The class action includes those who booked their flight through Expedia, Travelocity, Kiwi, CheapOair, CheapTickets or BookIt.
Eligible travelers who request a refund under the agreement will receive up to 75% of their costs, although this amount may be lower depending on the total amount of refunds requested by all group members.
The maximum payout of $8.25 million will include attorney’s fees, according to the motion.
Like other low-cost airlines, Spirit, based in Miramar, Florida, relies on additional fees to make up for lower base fares.
Dailymail.com has contacted Spirit Airlines for comment.
