Thompson to Introduce Passenger Bill of Rights
February 26, 2007
Bill will ensure airline customers are able to deplane after 3 hours on the ground
Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) released the following statement on a passenger bill of rights he plans to introduce:
“Flying will never be as comfortable as home, but passengers have a right to know what level of service they can expect on an aircraft.”
“I think the airlines will also benefit from having a set of rules to guide them through difficult situations, such as weather emergencies. Flying is a necessity of life for many people, and we certainly don't want to do anything that will hurt the airlines' ability to operate. However, I believe all airlines can meet the standards outlined in this bill.”
“Passengers should not be held on an airplane for hours and hours on end. My bill will give every passenger the right to deplane after a flight has been held on the ground for three hours.”
“If a plane is delayed, airlines must provide passengers with certain necessities. My bill requires that airlines provide every passenger with food, safe drinking water, sanitary bathroom facilities, adequate ventilation and a reasonable temperature while the plane is delayed.”
Additional provisions in the bill include:
- Require airlines to frequently update passengers at the airport and aboard aircraft on the cause and timing of delays.
- Require airlines to disclose information on chronically delayed flights at the time of ticket purchase.
- Require airlines to make every effort to return checked bags to passengers within 24 hours.
- Require airlines to draft and prominently display a Passenger Bill of Rights, which either meets or exceeds the standards in this bill.
- Require airlines to make information on the lowest fares readily available to the traveling public.
“Flying will never be as comfortable as home, but passengers have a right to know what level of service they can expect on an aircraft.”
“I think the airlines will also benefit from having a set of rules to guide them through difficult situations, such as weather emergencies. Flying is a necessity of life for many people, and we certainly don't want to do anything that will hurt the airlines' ability to operate. However, I believe all airlines can meet the standards outlined in this bill.”
“Passengers should not be held on an airplane for hours and hours on end. My bill will give every passenger the right to deplane after a flight has been held on the ground for three hours.”
“If a plane is delayed, airlines must provide passengers with certain necessities. My bill requires that airlines provide every passenger with food, safe drinking water, sanitary bathroom facilities, adequate ventilation and a reasonable temperature while the plane is delayed.”
Additional provisions in the bill include:
- Require airlines to frequently update passengers at the airport and aboard aircraft on the cause and timing of delays.
- Require airlines to disclose information on chronically delayed flights at the time of ticket purchase.
- Require airlines to make every effort to return checked bags to passengers within 24 hours.
- Require airlines to draft and prominently display a Passenger Bill of Rights, which either meets or exceeds the standards in this bill.
- Require airlines to make information on the lowest fares readily available to the traveling public.