Senators question if Frontier, Spirit Airlines are manipulating seat pricing

Three U.S. senators said they want Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines to disclose whether they are manipulating seat fees by using customers' personal information to charge different fees to passengers on the same flight. Senators Maggie Hassan, Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal cited on Wednesday the carriers' decision to ask for personal information before revealing seat fees, adding the airlines were apparently "using customers' personal information to charge different seat fees to passengers on the same flight" despite having the same fare. The senators said the carriers could be using consumers' ZIP codes, search history or other information "to influence pricing." In a letter, they called on the airlines to stop collecting personal information before showing fees, saying it undermines consumers' confidence, reduces competition and prevents customers from accurately comparing prices." Frontier declined to comment. Spirit did not respond to a request for comment. The senators also wrote to Amadeus-owned software firm Navitaire asking if the airlines had asked it collect data and use it in their pricing algorithms. The company did not immediately comment.<br/>