The Department of Transportation has fined Virgin Atlantic Airways for allegedly violating the department’s rules for advertising prices for air travel.
For a period of time, Virgin Atlantic displayed Internet ads that did not provide direct access to information on taxes and fees that were in addition to the base fare, the DOT claimed.
Consumers who clicked on the advertised fare were taken to a page showing sample routes and prices, where the type and amount of taxes and fees could be found in fine print only after scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Without admitting wrongdoing, Virgin Atlantic agreed to pay a $25,000 fine. The airline will have to pay another $25,000 if it violates the DOT’s cease-and-desist order within one year.