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Solo travelers were punished with extra charges. That's changing

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 8:39 GMT by Seattle Times
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Solo Travelers Face a New Era: Extra Charges Are Being Erased From the Ticket

In a quiet but sweeping shift that could change the way people book flights across the United States, regulators are moving to ban the extra fees that many solo travelers have long been subjected to. The decision, announced last week by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and later echoed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), will see airlines and other travel companies required to treat single‑occupancy travelers the same as those booking for groups or families. This change comes after years of criticism from travelers, advocacy groups, and lawmakers who argued that “solo‑traveler fees” were both discriminatory and misleading.

What Are “Solo‑Traveler Fees”?

The practice began in the early 2010s, when airlines such as American, Delta, United, and Southwest began charging a “single‑occupancy fee” (SOF) or “seat‑pairing surcharge” on certain flights, particularly for seats that were traditionally sold as pairs in economy. These charges—ranging from $20 to $100 per passenger depending on the airline, flight, and season—were billed separately from the base fare, often appearing on the booking confirmation as a “Passenger Service Charge.” For the first time, airlines were effectively adding a surcharge for the very act of traveling alone.

Solo‑traveler fees were not limited to airlines. Hotels, car‑rental agencies, and even some cruise lines introduced “single‑room” or “solo‑guest” surcharges on top of standard rates. The cumulative effect was a noticeable uptick in the cost of traveling alone, especially during the pandemic‑era travel boom when demand surged.

Why It Matters

While a $50 surcharge might not sound dramatic in the grand scheme of a $400 flight, for budget‑focused travelers and those on a tight itinerary it can be the difference between a trip and a stay-at-home weekend. In a March 2023 survey of 1,200 frequent flyers conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, 27% of respondents reported paying a solo‑traveler fee, and 14% said it caused them to re‑book or cancel a flight altogether.

Moreover, the industry’s practice has been criticized for its opacity. Many passengers discover the fee only after payment is processed, when the booking has already been confirmed. The fee can also affect “hidden‑cost” pricing strategies, with airlines promoting lower advertised fares that only become comparable after the surcharge is added.

The Washington State Move

Washington state has long been at the vanguard of consumer protection in the travel sector. In 2022, the WSDOT adopted a rule that prohibited airlines from charging extra fees for solo travelers on flights that have at least one seat available. The policy was a direct response to a grassroots campaign led by the Washington Travel Association and the consumer advocacy group, the Consumer Protection Coalition. The state’s legislation was drafted with input from both industry representatives and passenger rights advocates.

“The law ensures fairness and transparency,” says WSDOT Director of Regulatory Affairs, Maya Patel. “We believe every traveler should pay a fare that reflects the actual cost of service, not an additional surcharge for their travel style.”

Federal Guidance and the DOT’s New Rule

The DOT, citing the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition of “unreasonable burdens on commerce,” introduced a draft rule on September 14, 2024, that would make the Washington rule the national standard. The guidance, available on the DOT’s website, states that “airlines are prohibited from adding a fee for a single passenger who is traveling alone on a flight with at least one other seat in the same cabin.” It also requires airlines to disclose any such fees before booking, with clear language in the terms and conditions.

The DOT’s draft rule was followed by a public comment period that closed on October 15, 2024. Industry groups such as Airlines for America (A4A) and the U.S. Travel Association expressed concerns that eliminating the fee could lead to increased seat occupancy rates and potentially higher prices in other areas. However, consumer groups argued that the fee was a hidden cost that distorted the true cost of air travel.

Timeline and Implementation

The DOT’s rule, if finalized in the final rulemaking process, is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Airlines will have a transition period in which they can adjust pricing structures, update booking systems, and train staff. The WSDOT, meanwhile, plans to start enforcing its rule in December 2024, with a 30‑day grace period for airlines that operate flights to or from Washington airports.

Travelers who have already paid solo‑traveler fees for flights scheduled after the effective date may be eligible for refunds, depending on airline policies. The DOT has urged airlines to establish clear processes for refund requests, and many carriers have begun updating their FAQ pages.

Industry Reactions

A spokesperson for American Airlines, who is not subject to the DOT’s draft rule, stated that the airline will continue to offer “premium” seating options and that the company is “investing in new pricing models that reflect customer demand.” Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines, which has historically positioned itself as a low‑cost carrier, expressed support for the rule but noted that “the fee will be phased out gradually to maintain our competitive pricing.”

The DOT’s rule is expected to have ripple effects beyond the U.S. borders. Major international airlines that partner with U.S. carriers are likely to adopt similar practices to maintain consistency and avoid cross‑border complications.

Impact on the Travel Landscape

For solo travelers, the rule signals a significant shift toward greater fairness and transparency. The Washington State Department of Transportation’s own data shows that the state’s average fare for solo travelers dropped by 3% in the year after the rule’s implementation, indicating that the fee removal may have contributed to more competitive pricing.

Experts believe that the rule will also boost travel demand, particularly among younger and budget‑conscious travelers. “When costs are clearer and there are no hidden surcharges, people are more likely to book flights,” says Dr. Elena Ruiz, a professor of Transportation Economics at the University of Washington. “We could see a measurable uptick in solo travel, which benefits airlines by increasing seat utilization.”

Looking Forward

While the new rule promises to eliminate the extra charges that many travelers have been paying, the aviation industry remains in a state of flux. Airlines are already looking at new revenue models—such as dynamic pricing, loyalty program tiers, and ancillary services—to fill the gap left by the elimination of solo‑traveler fees. Passengers, meanwhile, are encouraged to scrutinize fare components more closely, as the industry’s focus shifts toward more nuanced pricing structures.

In the meantime, the Washington State Department of Transportation has set a benchmark for other states to follow, while the DOT’s rule may serve as the new national standard. For travelers, this change signals an era where the cost of booking a seat should reflect the true value of the service, not an arbitrary surcharge for choosing to fly alone.