Congress Gears Up to Pass Passengers’ Bill of Rights this Fall
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Lawmakers are working on a new bill that may provide for a better travel experience for passengers. According to a recent report by the Kiplinger Business Resource Center, Congress will likely be passing a passengers’ bill of rights this fall to ensure airlines provide all passengers with adequate restroom facilities anytime a plane is delayed, as well as enough food, water and ventilation in the cabin to ensure a comfortable experience. The stipulations also include rights when a plane is delayed for at least three hours, and the bill would encourage both airports and airlines to develop a satisfactory contingency plan for all delayed flights.
If the airports or airlines failed to comply with the new rules and regulations, they could face severe penalties and fines. Currently, airlines and airports are not required to provide any additional services or amenities to passengers if the flight is delayed or cancelled. Many airlines offer their own unique set of services and discounts to accommodate for the inconvenience, but these vary significantly by airline, and the type of flight that was booked.
This is the first time that Congress will be stepping into regulate issues related to travel delays, and while airlines may be complaining that these stipulations are too difficult to comply with – in some cases, they may case additional delays and cancellations – the overall travel experience for all classes of passengers is likely to improve.
The passengers’ bill of rights does have some provisions, and different versions have been presented to the House and Senate. As of September 11, 2009, the Senate version with the three-hour delay requirements may have a stronger chance of getting passed, according to Kiplinger.com. If the bill is passed, travelers may start to see changes in services and delay procedures as early as 2010.