The Frequent Flier

A series of new proposals by the Department of Transportation aims to make the skies more passenger-friendly by adding new restrictions and requirements on the airline industry.

New consumer-protection rules proposed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last month would require airlines to better compensate passengers bumped from their flight because of overbooking.  The proposed compensations would be up to $650 for short delays and up to $1,300 for longer delays.  That is nearly double of what the current compensation requirement is on airlines but the new rule should not greatly hinder most airlines as the majority of passengers that are bumped from flights voluntarily give up their seat.

Several other protective measures are a part of the DOTs proposal, including a requirement that airlines reimburse passengers their luggage fee in the event that the airline loses their bags or delivers them late.  According to current regulations, an airline is not required to reimburse a checked bag fee if the bag is misplaced.

Airlines will also be required to develop contingency plans for lengthy delays at smaller airports like they are supposed to do for larger airports.  Several hour delays have unfortunately become a familiar nightmare for many travelers at some of the nation’s busiest airports, but the problem is growing at smaller airports as well.

Another consumer protection for airline travelers is a new requirement that airlines offer a refund for a period of 24 hours after a flight is booked, allowing more flexibility to travelers.

The changes aimed at protecting airline passengers have been called political maneuvering by some who feel Washington is attempting to gain political points before elections this November.  But many air passenger advocates believe the new regulations are a step in the right direction, but with any new requirement the fear is that airlines will counter with higher fairs, something frequent flyers will have to hope against if the proposed regulations become law later this summer.