Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) applauded the new rules protecting airline passengers going into effect this week.  The new rules include requirements that airlines and ticket agents include all mandatory taxes and fees in published airfares, and that they disclose baggage fees to consumers buying tickets.

Rep. Engel said, “These new rules will ensure better and fairer treatment for airline passengers.  They will no longer be subject to the whim of airline convenience.  The scheduling changes will not only ease passengers’ travel plans but could also prevent potential excessive costs.”

Beginning this week, new U.S. Department of Transportation rules will also allow passengers to hold a reservation without payment, or cancel a booking without penalty, for 24 hours after the reservation is made, if the reservation was made one week or more prior to a flight’s departure date. In addition, airlines will be required to promptly notify passengers of flight delays of over 30 minutes, as well as flight cancellations and diversions.  They will also be prohibited from increasing the price of passengers’ ticket after it is purchased.

“Airline passengers have rights, and they should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when booking a trip and when they fly,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “The new passenger protections taking effect this week are a continuation of our effort to help air travelers receive the respect they deserve.” 

“These rules are long overdue for airline passengers, and I encourage the DOT to continue looking for ways to make the airline travel experience even better for all consumers,” said Rep. Engel.

Last August, a number of new measures took effect, including requirements that airlines refund baggage fees if bags are lost, and provide increased compensation to passengers bumped from oversold flights. The DOT also set a four-hour time limit on tarmac delays for all international flights at U.S. airports, and extended the three-hour tarmac delay limit for domestic flights to smaller airports.

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