Amid grumblings from the airline industry, complete with claims of free-speech rights infringements, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is moving forward with the implementation of rules that will force airlines to show the total cost of airline tickets – fees, taxes and all – in their advertised fares.

Anyone who has been lured by a super-low airfare to a choice destination has probably felt the frustration of seeing that incredible deal vanish at the point of purchase. The fare likely ballooned to an unrecognizable size once all the fees, taxes and surcharges were added. The U.S. DOT wants to put a stop to this "surprise" by forcing airlines to disclose the total cost of a ticket in their advertised fares. By January 26, new rules will be in effect that will require airlines to include all non-optional fees that apply to a particular itinerary well before the purchase is made. In addition, the following rules will take effect:

• Passengers will be able to hold or cancel a reservation made at least a week in advance for 24 hours without penalty.
• Baggage fees must be displayed when booking and on all electronic confirmations.
• Passengers must promptly be notified of any delays longer than 30 minutes or any cancellations or diversions that affect their itineraries.
• Baggage rules and fees will apply through an entire ticketed itinerary, even if multiple carriers are involved in a single journey.

The rules will apply to any carrier advertising their fares in the United States. In anticipation of the new rules, Icelandair became one of the first airlines to implement changes to its advertised fares. Other airlines, however, claim that the new rules could make air travel seem more expensive. Some have even claimed that the requirements are an infringement by the government on their commercial free speech rights. Court battles loom. In 2011 airlines had successfully delayed the implementation of some of the rules, claiming that the technology required to comply would take longer than anticipated. They tried once again in December, but the DOT has not announced any additional delays. So far, it should all be in place by January 26.