Airline passengers in this country have had reason to be frustrated, if not irate, in recent years. They’ve faced rising fares, shrinking numbers of seats, heightened security measures, the near-elimination of once-common amenities and the implementation of a maddening array of fees. They’ve put up with the changes and paid up when necessary, but not happily or quietly. Their palpable anger did not go unnoticed.
New federal airline passenger protection rules took effect Tuesday. Airline passengers and their advocates praise them, though they understandably lament the fact that airline lobbyists were able to secure postponement of additional reforms. Even so, the skies in many instances should be far friendlier now than they were prior to Tuesday.
The new rules address issues that particularly vex travelers: Oversold flights, long tarmac delays for international flights and lost baggage, In every instance, passengers gained new protections and benefits.
The regulations raise the mount passengers can collect if they are bumped from a flight. The old rules limited the amount to between $400-$800; the new law puts it between $650 and $1,300. In both instances, the lower amount is applicable if the airline can get passengers to their intended destination within an hour or two of their original arrival time. The higher amount applies if they are unable to do so.
Airlines, obviously, don’t like the rule, but the impact it could have on their bottom line, particularly if more individuals forego the offer of a voucher in favor of the new and higher payout, should help reduce the odious practice of purposefully overbooking flights.