In a February post, we discussed the waiting game for traveler protection against long flight delays but now just a few months later, and as promised, the waiting game is over. Today, the Department of Transportation is issuing new traveler protections that will be taking effect in late August that will require airlines to reimburse fees if they do not hold up their end of the deal. Travelers can now expect to be reimbursed those annoying luggage fees if luggage is lost and they should also expect to be paid double if they are bumped off flights.
Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, is quoted in a USAToday.com article saying, “It’s just common sense that if an airline loses your bag or you get bumped from a flight because it was oversold, you should be reimbursed. The additional passenger protections we’re announcing today will help make sure air travelers are treated with the respect they deserve.”
Well it is about time Ray!
These regulations come after years of stranded travelers and lost luggage.
The rules also protect travelers from the following:
- Airlines will be required to hold flight reservations for 24 hours at the quoted fare price if reservations were made at least a week before takeoff.
- Airlines must now notify passengers of flight delays longer than 30 minutes.
- Airlines must refund the luggage fees if they are misplaced.
- Travelers bumped from flights and are delayed 2 hours or less are entitled to twice the price of the ticket(up to $800).
- Travelers bumped from flights longer than 2 hours can can get up to $1,300.
The airline industry had some gripes with the new protections but overall they were accepting. With the protections targeting some of the biggest issues in the airline industry, hopefully we can see more travelers flying and airports increasing in popularity with travelers while traveling (for the airlines sake anyone).
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