The Biden Administration has issued a warning to airlines, urging them not to increase prices for flights out of the path of Hurricane Milton. The Department of Transportation has been actively monitoring the situation and communicating with airlines to ensure that flights remain affordable and accessible in the affected areas.
Reports of exorbitant flight prices, with some exceeding $1,600, have surfaced on social media. However, airlines have defended themselves by stating that certain itineraries shown were not practical due to multiple connections.
President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of airlines providing fair and reasonable pricing during emergencies. He called on airlines to prioritize accommodating evacuations and avoid engaging in price gouging practices.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated the Department's commitment to investigating allegations of airline price-gouging. The Department is closely monitoring flight fares in regions impacted by Hurricane Milton to prevent excessive price increases.
United Airlines and American Airlines have taken steps to cap fares on flights from airports in the hurricane's path. United Airlines expanded its list of capped fares to include flights to all seven of its hubs, with average economy fares remaining under $500 for the past 72 hours.
American Airlines also proactively capped fares on direct flights from affected cities and added extra flights to and from Florida to assist passengers in evacuating the area. Both airlines have collectively transported over 2,000 passengers out of Hurricane Milton's path.
Airlines for America, an industry lobby group, highlighted that carriers are actively working to support customers impacted by the hurricane. Several airlines are offering flexible rebooking options for flights to and from airports potentially affected by the storm, allowing passengers to adjust their travel plans as needed.
