House approves bill letting airlines advertise pre-tax fares, over consumer complaints

It's a battle pitting the nation's airlines against their passengers, and the first round has gone to the industry.

The House used a voice vote Monday to approve a bipartisan bill letting airline advertising emphasize the base price of their airfares. That's before taxes and fees are added.

The legislation would roll back federal regulations that since 2012 have required airlines to most prominently feature the full price in their advertising — including those fees.

But airlines — backed by pilots' and flight attendants' unions — say including taxes and fees in their advertised prices hurts business and hides from consumers the extra costs that government imposes on air travel.

Consumer groups say advertising the pre-tax fare is misleading.

So far there is no Senate version of the bill.