JetBlue used customers' data to set ticket prices, lawsuit alleges

MoneyWatch JetBlue used customers' personal data to set ticket prices, lawsuit alleges .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Mary Cunningham Mary Cunningham Reporter, MoneyWatch Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. She previously worked at "60 Minutes," CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program. Read Full Bio Mary Cunningham Updated on: April 23, 2026 / 11:46 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A new lawsuit alleges that JetBlue collected customers' personal data without their consent and used it to set ticket prices.The proposed class action, filed by New York resident Andrew Phillips, accuses JetBlue of tracking his information as he was booking airfare on the carrier's website for the "purpose of setting pricing." Such tactics can be used to offer different fares to customers based on their individual internet history, demographic and other factors, according to the suit. "Consumers should not have to have their privacy rights violated to participate in [JetBlue's] digital rat race for airline tickets, which should cost the same for each similarly seated passenger," the lawsuit alleges."It allows defendant to manipulate prices in real time in order to make as much money as they can on fares for airline tickets, which are priced differently for consumers based on their private information, which they did not consent to surrender for this purpose," the suit added.The complaint also alleges that he was not informed that his information was being monitored or sold to third parties.JetBlue, which is headquartered in New York City, denied that it uses consumers' personal data to set ticket prices."JetBlue does not use personal information or web browsing history to set individual pricing," the carrier said in a statement to CBS News. "Fares are determined by demand and seat availability, and all customers have access to the same fares on jetblue.com an...