What Is the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights?

cartwrightlaw - April 11, 2024 -

Air travel comes with particular rights for passengers. For instance, a passenger has a right to receive prompt information about any delayed flights within 30 minutes of an airline knowing about a possible delay.

Despite their legal obligations, many airlines violate passengers’s rights. In early 2023, passengers encountered a surge in flight delays, attributed to substantial flight cancellations by Southwest Airlines in December 2022.

In response to chaos in the industry, the Biden administration took action on May 8, 2023, by proposing new rules that mandate airlines to compensate passengers for cancellations and significant delays within their control.

If you suffer any injuries as an airline passenger, consider speaking to an experienced San Francisco accident attorney for legal advice about your rights and how you can obtain compensation while being informed about your passenger bill of rights.

Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights

The bill offers extended protection for passengers in air transportation.

Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to implement laws relating to:

Unreasonable carrier charges
Compensation to passengers for canceled or delayed flights
Protection for airline passengers from being required to relinquish their seats unless for safety or security reasons
Elimination of dollar limitations on compensation to passengers denied boarding on account of overbooking
Interline agreements between air carriers and other transportation providers
Training on the rights of passengers
Accuracy on ticket pricing and disclosure of lowest fares
Unrestricted access to consumers on information related to schedules, fares, fees, and taxes.

Protection Offered By Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights

The legislation intends to protect passengers by:

Compensation for Involuntary Denial of Boarding

The bill establishes that $1,350 is the minimum level of compensation an air carrier or foreign carrier must pay to a passenger denied boarding against their wish because of an oversold flight.
Encourages airlines to provide compensation to those who relinquish their seats using a cash payment
It prohibits airline companies from imposing a cap on the amount of compensation provided to a passenger for relinquishing their seats.

Although understanding your rights is the first step to protecting yourself, an injury attorney can help you assert your air passenger rights. For instance, they provide legal support when submitting a written complaint or a refund request to the airline.

Restoring Passengers’ Rights to Pursue Claims Against Airlines

The bill reinstates:

The right of a passenger to sue an airline in federal and state court for deceptive and unfair practices
The rights of passengers with disabilities to sue airline companies in federal courts for denying primary access

The bill also improves passengers’ process of submitting airline complaints and requires airlines to address complaints quickly.

Requires Airlines to Refund Tickets and Compensate Passengers for Cancellations and Delays Caused By Airlines

It requires an airline to provide ticket refunds, compensation, alternative transport, and cover the cost of meals and accommodation for flight delays for more than four hours.
It cracks down on airlines using extreme weather for cancellations or delays that are the airline’s fault.
It directs the DOT to facilitate interline agreements where different airlines can collaborate to provide alternative flights.

Enhancing Transparency of Passengers’ Rights

The bill requires airline employees to undergo biannual training on employee rights.
It ensures passengers receive a clear explanation of their ticket purchase and throughout their journey.

Get in Touch With an Experienced San Francisco Injury Attorney for Legal Assistance

A flight delay or cancellation comes at a heavy cost, including lost business opportunities, missed medical appointments, and disruption of family reunions. You, therefore, deserve compensation for delay or cancellation-related losses.

The Cartwright Law Firm is a team of qualified legal professionals with decades of experience representing injured victims of passenger bill of rights, which gives us an edge in protecting your case.