YOUR RIGHTS 101 
Over the past decade, the European Union became the world leader in air passenger rights, enacting a variety of laws to protect travelers. While the U.S. government left it up to the airlines to provide for distressed passengers.
FlyersRights reversed that course in 2011 and had the DOT implement a round of passenger rights policies like the tarmac delay rule and initial Flyers' Bill of Rights laws.
However, since then, the U.S. government has tried to avoid additional legislation that addresses seat space standards, excessive bag fees and ticket change fees, making it even more important to push for the Flyers' Bill of Rights 2.0.
A REFRESHER: YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU FLY
Note: Just assume the airline will defraud you here.
Airline employees are trained to either downplay your rights or spin them so that you won't take advantage of them. Don't accept vouchers - cash only.
Denied Boarding Compensation ("Bumping"):
If denied boarding involuntarily, carrier must pay:
·For Domestic Flights the Rules State:
-No compensation if alternate transportation is provided with less than a 1 hour delay
-200% of the one-way fare (max $650) if alternate transportation is provided with a delay of 1-2 hours
-400% of the one-way fare (max $1,300) if alternate transportation is provided with a delay of 2+ hours or no alternate transport is provided
·
International Flights the Rules State:
-No compensation if alternate transportation is provided with less than a 1 hour delay
-200% of the one-way fare (max $650) if alternate transportation is provided with a delay of 1-4 hours
-400% of the one-way fare (max $1,300) if alternate transportation is provided with a delay of 4+ hours and no alternate transport is provided
Involuntary Downgrading
Downgrade: Carrier must reimburse the passenger the difference between the fare paid and the fare for the seat provided
Flight Delays
In general, there are no laws entitling passengers to any compensation or benefits if their flight is delayed (exception: Tarmac Delays discussed below). Instead, the carrier's Contract of Carriage will specify any rights in the event of a delay (see Flight Cancellations below)
Upon request, a carrier must disclose the on-time performance of a specific flight
Carriers must indicate on-time performance for each flight displayed on their website
Carriers can be fined or enjoined by the DOT from operating "chronically delayed" flights
- defined as more than 30 minutes late or cancelled more than 50% of the time
Cancelled Tickets
Passengers have the right to cancel tickets within 24 hours for a full refund
(Airlines may try to issue ticket credits that are increasingly hard to use, do not accept a voucher, go for cash.)
Flight Cancellations
In general, there are no laws entitling passengers to any compensation or benefits if their flight is cancelled.
FlyersRights Bill of Rights 2.0 proposes:
-Require airlines to maintain a ready reserve of equipment and flight crews sufficient to provide good service and a flight cancellation rate due to equipment or crew shortages to under 2% and on time performance of over 85%.
Current situation: Most airlines operate with little or no reserve capacity so that when equipment breaks down or flight crews are unavailable, flights are canceled or seriously delayed. This situation is aggravated by the fact that airlines are operating at record capacity of over 80%, so that a canceled flight means that passengers may have to wait many hours or even several days to get on another flight to their destination.
-Set minimum fines of $1,000 per passenger with ½ paid to affected passengers for flight cancellations based on false claims of force majeure (e.g. weather or air traffic control restrictions when the real reason is lack of equipment or personnel or for economic reasons such as too few passengers).
-Current situation: Studies and statistics show a very high rate of false or fraudulent reporting by the airlines. However, they are rarely, if ever, fined and passengers never receive compensation for this misbehavior. This borderline criminal action certainly enhances the profitability of the airlines, but does so at the expense of their customers and must be addressed by Congress
-Require cancellation for economic reasons to be made at least 3 hours before flight time, and provide passengers with alternate transportation plus a ticket refund, or breach of contract consequential damages up to $5,000. Presumption that flight was canceled for economic reasons if no ground hold and flight less than 30% booked.
Current situation: While airlines are required by contract and by conditions of their FAA certificate to provide safe and convenient air transportation to the general public and economic flight cancellations amount to a breach of contract or civil fraud and/or violation of their certificate, enforcement is virtually nonexistent, thereby rewarding bad practices and penalizing honest ones.
Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Luggage
The DOT increased the federal maximum to $3,300 per passenger and has a built-in mechanism for inflation increases
Carriers may not place any limitations on liability for lost/damaged/delayed luggage (e.g. "not liable for laptops", "$25 maximum per day" only liable for necessities")
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