DOT adds protections for air travelers

As I’ve mentioned many times before on this blog, airline passengers have rights, and airlines have an obligation to respect those rights.

That’s why today I am pleased to announce new airline passenger protections that will ensure air travelers are treated with the respect they deserve.

Today's protections build on the historic rule we issued in December 2009 prohibiting tarmac delays of more than three hours for U.S. airlines operating domestic flights.  And we know these consumer protections work.  Since the first airline consumer protection rule went into effect, lengthy tarmac delays have dropped to almost zero--without causing a significant increase in flight cancellations.  That has boosted passengers' confidence that they won't be stranded for hours at a time.

Our new protections require airlines to reimburse passengers for bag fees if their bags are lost, provide consumers involuntarily bumped from flights with greater compensation, and disclose hidden fees.  And, because passengers on international flights deserve the same protections and fair treatment as those on domestic flights, we're also expanding the current ban on lengthy tarmac delays.

Here are some of the ways our new rule builds upon the consumer protections we've already put into action: 

Lost Bags and Bag Fees: If your bag is lost, airlines will now be required to refund any fee for carrying the bag.

Full Disclosure of Additional Fees: All potential fees must be prominently disclosed on airlines’ websites, so you won’t be surprised by fees for things such as baggage, meals, canceling or changing reservations, or advanced or upgraded seating.   In addition, all government taxes and fees must be included in every advertised price.

Bumping: Today’s rule doubles the amount of money you are eligible for in the event you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight.

Tarmac Delays:   We've expanded the existing ban on lengthy tarmac delays to cover foreign airlines’ operations at U.S. airports, and we've established a four-hour time limit on tarmac delays for international flights of U.S. and foreign airlines.   And, just like on domestic flights, carriers must make available adequate food and water--as well as working lavatories and any necessary medical treatment--after two hours.

Now, these are just some of the sensible new protections that will take effect.  Please take a minute to read about a number of other ways that DOT’s rule will make air travel simpler and easier .

Protecting passengers is the right thing to do.  It’s just that simple.  And DOT will continue to create and enforce rules that protect your rights before, during and after flights.

Comments

[Joel Mandel]

Secretary Lahood,
I recently flew on a 5.5 hour United Airlines flight from boston to San Francisco. I am only 5'6" and found the legroom to be so tight that I had to leave a leg in the aisle. And the seat back of the seat in front of you is right in your face when the person leans it back. I am concerned about the increase in Deep Vein Thrombosis that such practices encourage as well as the general claustrophobic nature of the flight.

I urge you to put in place meaningful minimum ergonomic standards for seat back support and legroom, just as your agency has done for cabin airflow.

Thank you for your help and consideration in this matter. Please let me know your thoughts on these matters.

Sincerely
Joel Mandel