08:46 AM EST, 12/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with responses from American and Delta in the fifth and sixth paragraphs.)

A US Senator chairing a panel investigating airline fees criticized US carriers Wednesday for what he described as their focus on finding new ways to impose charges on passengers, news outlets reported.

Senator Richard Blumenthal said airlines "view their customers as little more than walking piggy banks to be shaken down for every possible dime," according to Reuters, citing prepared remarks.

Blumenthal is convening a hearing Wednesday in which executives of American Airlines ( AAL ) , United Airlines (UAL), Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) , Frontier (ULCC), and Spirit Airlines are scheduled to appear.

Blumenthal's panel has spent a year investigating airline fees, Reuters reported.

American Airlines ( AAL ) said in a statement to MT Newswires that it was the first airline to guarantee family seating and does not charge for personal items. "Our business model is structured to accommodate a myriad of customers and their personal preferences," the company said.

Delta said in a statement that its "number one priority is taking care of our people and our customers and includes our commitment to providing a choice of fare products that best meets our customers' specific travel needs."

United and Frontier did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' requests for comment.