U.S. Transportation Secretary advocates improved consumer rights
2011-01-04
Air travel experiences may become a bit more positive if the new rules proposed by United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are passed by the government. LaHood recently submitted his proposal for improved consumer protection standards for airline customers.
If his ideas are approved, air travelers would receive increased reimbursement when they are bumped off of a flight, they would have a 24-hour window to cancel reservations without any penalty and airlines would be required to provide more clarity when it comes to disclosing fees and other travel costs. Airlines would also be banned from increasing ticket prices after one has already made a purchase.
Under LaHood's proposal, there would be a more strict requirement on the disclosure of baggage-handling fees, as well as higher compensation if luggage is lost or not delivered to the customer in a time-efficient manner.
“Airline passengers have rights and should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when they fly,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in the proposal. “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.”
See also ...