The Department of Transportation (DOT) rolled out new customer service rules on Wednesday that expanded upon existing rules and codified others for the airline industry.
The rules addressed some of the biggest grips for airline passengers from tarmac delays to hidden fees. The new rules will take effect in 120 days.
Under the new laws, international airlines will have to follow the example of domestic airlines and have gates and contingency plans prepped for travel disruptions. Otherwise, they will face hefty fines for tarmac delays that exceed four hours.
The new rules also require airlines to refund baggage fees on lost bags. The measure would not, however, refund the contents of the bags, which could cost hundreds more than the baggage fees.
Airlines will now need to disclose all hidden fees and taxes to passengers on their Web sites.
Also included in the new rules are increased compensations for bumped passengers, effectively doubling the amount of compensation for involuntarily bumped passengers.
Currently, bumped passengers get compensation in line with the price of their tickets and are capped at $800 of compensation for a lengthy delay.
The new rule gives bumped passengers $650 for a short delay and $1,300 for a lengthy delay.
By Adriana Padilla for PeterGreenberg.com.
Related Links: BNET.com, CNN, Wall Street Journal
Related Links on PeterGreenberg.com:
- Passenger Bill of Rights Arrives: The Early Show Report
- Senate Approves FAA Reauthorization Bill, Includes Passenger Rights, Air Traffic Upgrades
- Department of Transportation, Not Congress, Announces Airline Passenger Bill of Rights
- Latest Tarmac Delay Adds Fuel To Fire In Debate Over Passenger Bill of Rights
- Air Travel News: Airlines & Airports section
