Airline fees are costly for traveling Americans and have only increased in recent years following the pandemic. However, these fees may soon be coming to an end. This past Wednesday, President Biden gave a speech addressing the rising cost of the economy and emphasized the unnecessary hidden fees that airlines attach to ticket sales, such as the extra cost of having additional legroom on flights.
Biden made a point to highlight the financial disadvantage these hidden fees pose to marginalized communities in America such as low-income families and people of color:
"Look, folks, these are junk fees. They’re unfair, and they hit marginalized Americans the hardest, especially low-income folks and people of color."
However, there have been mixed feelings in response to this announcement. Several communities feel that President Biden's notion that people of color cannot afford these additional fees originates from harmful stereotypes that paint all people of color, specifically Black people, as perpetually impoverished. On the other hand, there are those who welcome the plan of getting rid of these fees and easing traveling costs for Americans.
Although this plan could potentially offer a beneficial financial respite for Americans, we always have to be aware of unconscious racial bias that often influences legislation in this country. We'll continue to monitor any future developments and public opinion on this story.