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Airline Snafus Fuel Passengers' Bill Of Rights

February 19, 2007

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Last week's ice storm that shut down airports and trapped passengers aboard jetliners for hours, may have a silver lining for beleaguered fliers. It has apparently provided a boost to a proposed "passengers' bill of rights" being considered by Congress.

In both chambers, members of Congress are working on bills that would address some of the concerns passengers face when confronted with unexpected delays. It would, for example, set a limit of three hours for keeping planeloads of passengers on the tarmac waiting to take off. After three hours, the planes would be required to return to the gate so passengers could get off.

One version of the legislation would also require airlines to keep passengers on delayed flights informed about their status. It would also require airlines to identify flights that are habitually delayed or cancelled.

The original impetus for the "passengers' bill of rights" came at the end of last year when passengers aboard American Airlines flight 1348 were held aboard their weather-diverted plane for 10 hours. The passengers organized and began lobbying Congress.

Last week's ice storm produced similar situations at New York's JFK Airport, where JetBlue kept passengers on planes for up to 10 hours. Attempting to gain the public relations initiative, the airline quickly apologized and offered stranded passengers refunds and free tickets.

But JetBlue's action may not be enough to head off Congressional action to codify passengers' rights.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) is drafting a set of minimum standards that would require airlines to provide every passenger with drinking water, sanitary bathroom facilities, food, and reasonable comfort on any delayed flight.

Industry advocates oppose new requirements that would be invoked in cases of delay, saying decisions are always best left up to the flight crews. They say returning to the gate in many cases would produce more cancelled flights and cause further havoc within the system.

Federal statistics show about 50 flights a year are delayed more than five hours, trapping passengers on board.

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