Spirit has added a $4 fee in response to new DOT rules and has accused the US government of having a "hidden agenda".
"If the government can hide taxes in your airfares, they can carry out their hidden agenda and quietly increase their taxes," said the airline.
Spirit said the $2 per one-way segment fee will cover the "cost" of meeting new federal requirements that airlines display the full cost of airline tickets, including the fare, taxes and fees.
The airline has dropped a large "warning" sign that popped up on its website but continues to urge consumers to complain to their congressional representatives.
"We’re against these new regulations because we actually think it reduces transparency," Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza told Time this week. "We think it makes it harder for consumers to understand what they’re paying for."
He said the new rules take seats out of circulation, albeit temporarily, limiting the inventory for people willing to pay on the spot.
The airline argues it now has to spread the cost to other passengers with its new fee.
Spirit and other airlines contend that they are being singled out as other travel products, including hotel rooms and cruise vacations, commonly advertise tax-off pricing but are not affected by the rule.
But US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the regulations were "common sense" and complained that the airline’s objections are typical of the "disrespect’ they routinely show passengers.
By David Wilkening
