Overview
- JetBlue received a letter Tuesday from Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Greg Casar seeking details on whether the airline uses personal data or AI to set fares, with answers due by April 30.
- The airline says a now‑deleted social‑media reply telling a bereaved customer to clear cookies was an employee error and that prices come from real‑time availability in its reservation system.
- Reporters and fare analysts say there is no evidence JetBlue uses individualized ‘surveillance pricing,’ noting that fare jumps often occur when cheaper fare classes sell out or when dynamic pricing updates.
- A similar JetBlue reply from February told a customer to clear cache and cookies during a loyalty‑points purchase issue, and the resurfaced posts fueled public concern over opaque pricing.
- The FTC has examined surveillance pricing since 2024 and states have weighed limits, which could lead to new disclosure rules or bans as lawmakers press for clarity on airline pricing practices.