New consumer protections for airline passengers take effect

Yesterday, our new set of consumer protections for air passengers went into effect, which we hope will make flying more convenient and hassle-free for air travelers nationwide.  It's simple: the Obama Administration believes consumers have the right to be treated fairly when they fly.

Since April 2010, domestic airline passengers have been protected from lengthy tarmac delays. The results of those protections have been terrific.  In June 2010, DOT proposed another set of consumer protections for air travelers, and this week airline passengers have good reason to celebrate as those new protections went into effect on Tuesday.

As Kate Hanni of FlyersRights.org said, "It's huge. If you're flying, you're 400% better off than you were before."

Here are some of the common-sense ways we're looking out for passengers under these new protections:

• If you are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, the new rules double the amount of money you are eligible for as compensation. 
• DOT's successful ban on lengthy tarmac delays will now cover the international flights of foreign airlines at U.S. airports, and domestic flights at small-hub and non-hub airports.
• If your bag is lost, you are entitled to a refund of any fee for carrying that bag.  Airlines are already required to compensate passengers for reasonable expenses for loss, damage or delay in the carriage of passenger baggage.
• Airlines must prominently disclose all optional fees on their websites, including but not limited to fees for baggage, meals, canceling or changing reservations, or advanced or upgraded seating. 

The Department of Transportation's new passenger protections will help ensure that air travelers receive the respect they deserve before, during and after their flight.  This is government at your service.

Comments

[Mary Schiavo]

Dear Secretary LaHood,
Congratulations on some much needed traveler protections. As an aviation attorney, every day I get calls from abused passengers. It was difficult telling them that the FAA allowed the treatment they endured. From my years in the DOT I know first hand that getting any change through the various levels of the Department can be almost impossible, so your success is indeed commendable. Nice work.
Mary Schiavo
Inspector General, DOT, '90-'96

[Dianne93101]

it's so DC for them to take an industry that functions just fine in all areas most of the time and slap binding regulations when one member screws up ever so slightly. I just have to wonder whose interests they have in mind in this. I suspect it's NOT the consumer.

Thanks for nothing guys!!

[Diana Anderson]

Nice one

Every country has to follow the new techniques for security in air to avoid any mishappenings..

[tammy]

"•If your bag is lost, you are entitled to a refund of any fee for carrying that bag. Airlines are already required to compensate passengers for reasonable expenses for loss, damage or delay in the carriage of passenger baggage."

That's INTERESTING!! Does it cover if you get to your destination, but your baggage doesnt until the next day? ANd how do you get "compensation"? If your bags don't arrive til the next day and you have to drive an hour one way to meet the delivery guy cause "they don't go that far" ... of course they'll FEDEX them to you, and you'll get them 3 DAYS after you arrive!!

Airline representative's response was "that's the best we can do" "it really wasn't our fault" WHAT?????

[Frequently frustrated flyer]

Any protections are better than none, but this is only a start. Do you know how long 4 hours is when stuck on a plane sitting on the tarmac?

In June, my Delta/Air France flight to Paris sat at the gate for 4 hours and then on the tarmac for another hour. My six hour flight became 11 hours couped up on the plane, me and my 82 year old mom.

Shaving only one hour off of that delay is wholly inadequate. No plane should be allowed to keep passengers couped up for longer than 1/3 of the total flight time or a maximum of 2 hours, whichever is less.

[van rental]

Delta/Air France flight to Paris was cancelled too Manny times in the past week