FTC Probes Airline Pricing Practices
The agency ordered nine major companies to turn over information on how they set prices, but did not request the same data from American Airlines.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Air Travel
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The Federal Trade Commission ordered nine major airlines, ride-sharing companies and food delivery firms to turn over pricing information, including Delta, United Airlines and JetBlue. The agency did not request the same information from American Airlines, the largest airline in Charlotte.
Why it matters
The FTC is seeking to determine how common surveillance pricing is across industries. Scrutiny of airline pricing in Charlotte is notable given that American Airlines operates roughly 90% of flights out of the city.
The average fare out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport was $531.83 in the second quarter of 2026, ranking third most expensive among the 100 busiest U.S. airports. American Airlines operates roughly 90% of flights out of Charlotte, yet the FTC did not request the same pricing information from it as from Delta, United and JetBlue.
The players
Federal Trade Commission
The federal agency responsible for consumer protection and antitrust enforcement in the United States.
American Airlines
A major U.S. carrier headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with a large hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Frank Pallone
A New Jersey Democrat serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, who has led efforts on consumer and health policy.
The details
The FTC took a representative sample from companies in each industry rather than overloading the agency with information from every firm. A spokesperson for American Airlines said the airline does not engage in surveillance pricing. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat, has separately requested pricing information from airlines, including American.
Timeline
Second quarter of 2026: Average Charlotte airport fare recorded at $531.83.
2027: Democrats expected to take control of Congress, which could increase scrutiny of airline pricing.
Industry Dynamics
The FTC's order extends its examination of surveillance pricing, the practice of setting individualized prices based on consumer data, from retail into air travel, ride-sharing and food delivery. The inquiry asks how widespread the practice is before any enforcement decisions are made.
Travelers flying out of Charlotte should compare fares across carriers before booking, since average fares there are among the highest at major U.S. airports. Checking prices from multiple airlines and on different dates may help manage costs while the FTC inquiry continues.
The takeaway
Comparing fares across airlines and travel dates remains the most practical step for Charlotte flyers. The FTC's inquiry may eventually clarify how individualized airline pricing is used.
Further reading
For more on fares and routes, see Air Travel coverage for Charlotte.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wbtv.
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