Spirit Airlines CEO says carry-on fees will be disclosed, overall ticket prices still lowest

Spirit CEO says carry-on fees will be disclosed

WASHINGTON — The CEO of the airline that wants to charge passengers as much as $45 for certain carry-on bags says he agrees with federal regulators that the fee needs to be disclosed plainly to consumers when they buy their tickets.

Ben Baldanza of Spirit Airlines says he met Thursday with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who was critical of the fee when it was announced last month. Baldanza says he explained that even with the carry-on fee, Spirit’s ticket prices are still lower than most other airlines.

Baldanza described the meeting with LaHood as very cordial.

In remarks to an aviation luncheon, Baldanza said he has also spoken to Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York about the lawmaker’s proposal to impose an excise tax on the fees.