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Guidance On Aviation Rules and Statutes

The guidance documents contained herein lack the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. The guidance documents are intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

A compilation of guidance documents related to the Department of Transportation’s aviation economic, consumer protection, and civil rights requirements. Guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract.
Date Subject
May 12, 2020 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Airline Ticket Refunds Given the Unprecedented Impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on Air Travel
April 17, 2020 Notice - Reporting of Causes of Flight Delays and Cancellations Given The Unprecedented Impact Of The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency On Air Travel
April 3, 2020 Enforcement Notice Regarding Refunds by Carriers Given the Unprecedented Impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on Air Travel
January 22, 2020 Inflation Adjustments to Montreal Convention Liability Limits
August 8, 2019 Final Statement of Enforcement Priorities Regarding Service Animals
November 1, 2018 Enforcement Policy Regarding Reporting of Mishandled Baggage and Wheelchair Data
October 23, 2018 Enforcement Notice - Airline Reporting of Data on Mishandled Baggage, Wheelchairs, and Scooters
April 24, 2018 Notice to UAS Operators Proposing to Engage in Air Transportation
January 13, 2017 Guidance for Airline Personnel on Non-discrimination in Air Travel
December 16, 2016 Notice to Colleges, Universities, and other Organizations Offering Flights to College Bowl Games and other Special Events
December 16, 2016 Notice to Consumers Purchasing Tickets to Special Events that Include Air Transportation
November 22, 2016 Enforcement Policy on Extended Tarmac Delays
December 29, 2015 Online reporting system for incidents involving animals during air transport
November 25, 2015 Notice regarding damage to wheels, handles, and other components of checked baggage
May 08, 2015 Notice of Mistaken Fare Policy
February 23, 2015
Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings Determination Regarding United Airlines Mistaken Fare
January 13, 2015 Notice Concerning Revisions to Animal Incident Reporting Requirements
December 13, 2013 Guidance on responding to complaints filed on behalf of airline passengers
August 19, 2013 Display of search results on ticket agent websites
June 3, 2013 Guidance on transport of portable dialysis machines by air travelers with disabilities
May 31, 2013 Guidance on the 24-hour reservation requirement
May 29, 2013 Additional Guidance: Preboarding of Air Travelers With Disabilities
January 14, 2013 Clarification of November 2012 Guidance on Review and Approval of Public Charter Operations and Prospectuses
November 13, 2012 Guidance on Review and Approval of Public Charter Prospectuses
May 17, 2012 Use of the term “free” in air fare advertisements and disclosure of consumer costs in award travel
April 19, 2012 Website information on consumer complaints and use of insecticides in aircraft cabins
February 28, 2012 Guidance on the use of rounding in air fare advertisements
February 21, 2012 Additional Guidance on Airfare / Air Tour Price Advertisements
December 28, 2011 Guidance: Price Increases for Ancillary Services Not Purchased With Ticket

August 19, 2011 (last revised on December 12, 2016)

 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Enforcement of the Final Rule on Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections #2
August 5, 2011 Notice of enforcement policy: oversale notice for foreign carriers
April 28, 2011 Rights of small entities to enforcement fairness, and policy against retaliation
April 28, 2010 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Enforcement of the Final Rule on Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections #1
October 28, 2009 Use of passenger-supplied electronic respiratory assistive devices on aircraft
October 9, 2009 Limits on baggage settlements
May 13, 2009 Disability Rule: Frequently Asked Questions
March 26, 2009 International service: (1) baggage exclusions, (2) responsibility of codeshare carriers
April 21, 2006 Reporting oversales: value of travel vouchers
July 28, 2005 Accessible aircraft lavatories: providing accurate information to consumers
December 22, 2004 Guidance on reporting disability-related complaints
May 16, 2003 Air Carrier Liability Insurance: Notice to DOT
August 2, 2002 Airline agents for service of process
November 19, 2001 Nondiscrimination in airport security screening (frequently asked questions)
November 16, 2001 Security: FAA guidance on nondiscrimination on the basis of disability or national origin
September 21, 2001 Nondiscrimination concerning religion and national origin
December 3, 1997 Airline plans under the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act.
September 24, 1997 Foreign Air Carriers; Unfair and Deceptive Advertising; Enforcement Policy
April 22, 1997 Electronic Ticketing: Passenger Notices
November 19, 1996 Reporting of oversales:
December 20, 1994
December 20, 1991 Disability issues: wheelchair reservation codes

Archived Guidance

Last updated: Tuesday, May 12, 2020