finally, some justice for travelers

[glockjs]

Airlines will have to pay passengers up to 600 euros ($780) if they are denied a seat because of overbooking.

Passengers whose flights are seriously delayed or cancelled must be given food and, if necessary, accommodation.

In some cases, carriers must give passengers the option of a refund and a trip back to their point of departure.

"The boom in air travel needs to be accompanied by proper protection of passengers' rights," said Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/02/16/passenger.rights.reut/index.html


I 100% agree with the bill. the airlines are heartless cut throat bastards. too bad the U.S. will never pass anything like this

[VCDHunter]

Time to dig up my passport methinks . . . .

[sacajaweeda]

We won't see it here in the states because the government isn't in a big rush for another airline bailout.

[glockjs]

the airlines have to much say over here. i like the part of this bill how it says it effects ALL airliners. doesnt matter where they originate from

[doppletwo]

I have heard of people getting bumped getting money here in the USA.

It's not the law, but some airlines do it depending on the situation.

[AlecWest]

In most cases, airlines try to do the right thing. Unless someone flashes a mileage card at booking time, an airline has no idea whether they're serving a customer who flies only once in a blue moon ... or a regular business customer. And, if they stiff a business customer, it could translate into a much bigger loss than just one single ticket.

Of course, the REAL right thing to do is give good service. When people want to get from point A to B, excuses (and even money) just doesn't cut it. Anyhoo, here's the most recent consumer report on airline service from the Department of Transportation. You'll need Acrobat Reader:

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/2005/0502atcr.pdf

[aanaravs]

It's not the law, but some airlines do it depending on the situation.

Yep. I have experienced it quite a few times.

[bugster]

I have 'nearly' got bumped on several occasions and actually did once. On each occasion, the airline asked for voulnteers with the offer of free flights, or hotel accomodation overnight, or both. On the one occasion I did get bumped, I was offered a $500 flight voucher as compensation, plus a seat on the next flight just 4 hours later. I said the flight voucher was no use, but would accept a free upgrade to business class instead. No problem, they said. So I got an 11 hour flight in the comfort of business class instead of coach or economy class and finally arrived home just 3 hours later than I would otherwise have.

[Kunta Kinte]

Just politics. Call me when it actually happens.

[bugster]

Oh, BTW, you do realise this only applies to scheduled flights. Those on package holidays or charter flights will still get screwed exactly as before.