Airports are stressful. From body scanners to lost baggage, there are plenty of reasons to dislike air travel. Since it is a place that often leads to a less than pleasant experience, its important to know your rights as a traveler. That’s why I would like to present this article below from Lifehacker. Author Adam Dachis does a very good job of summarizing salient bits of this newly constructed bill of rights recently released by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Enjoy!
Author Credit: Adam Dachis
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a new version of the flyer’s rights bill this week, requiring airlines to treat you a little better. These new rights don’t necessarily help you out too much if you’re not aware of them, however, so here’s a look at what’s changed and how to avoid getting screwed next time you have a problematic flight.
According to the bill, airlines will be required to reimburse you when they lose your baggage or you’re bumped from a flight. The compensation for a bumped flight is quite a bit, actually, as airlines will be required to provide you with twice the price of your ticket (up to $800) if you’re delayed for two hours or less. If you’re delayed longer, you can receive up to $1,300.
Currently, if you’re on a domestic flight, your plane cannot sit on the tarmac for more than three hours without letting you off. Now international flights are included in this regulation, but they have a maximum time limit of four hours. The planes are also required to provide you with water and access to the restrooms at all times—which is good, because one facilitates the other.
Airlines will also now be required to disclose all fees on their web sites so you know how much it’ll cost you to check a bag, cancel your ticket, and many of the other fun fees they’ve come up with over the past few years. Additionally, cancellation fees will be prohibited for the first 24 hours after booking.
Continue Reading at Lifehacker.com.
