Moves to strengthen passenger rights for air travel in America were welcomed by the Business Travel Coalition (BTC).
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a raft of consumer protection measures aimed at giving air traveller a better deal.
The six new proposals would:
- Increase compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped from flights from $800 to $1300;
- Allow passengers to make and cancel reservations within 24 hours without penalty;
- Require full and prominently displayed disclosure of baggage fees as well as refunds and expense reimbursement when bags are not delivered on time;
- Require fair price advertising;
- Prohibit price increases after a ticket is purchased;
- Mandate timely notice of flight status changes.
Ray LaHood, the US transport secretary, said: "Airline passengers have rights and should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when they fly.
"With this rulemaking, we're proposing to strengthen the consumer protections enacted last month and raise the bar for airlines when it comes to treating passengers fairly."
The proposals are open for comment for 60 day us from their publication yesterday (June 2).
The BTC said it "applauded the direction" the proposals were taking.
Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Pennsylvania-based Coalition, added: "DOT Secretary LaHood continues his aggressive efforts on behalf of consumers in supreme style.
"His proposal is comprehensive and timely and represents smart regulation."
www.dot.gov www.businesstravelcoalition.com