FLYERS may be left stranded at airports if their flight is canceled, but experts say there are still ways they can protect themselves.
Airlines are no longer required to reimburse passengers for flight delays or cancellations, as the Trump administration has abandoned legislation that promoted airline accountability.
Passengers who are stranded at an airport due to a canceled flight may not receive refunds (stock image)[/caption]
Spirit Airlines supported the Trump administration’s decision[/caption]
The rule was proposed in late December, during the last few weeks of Biden’s term, and would have required airlines to compensate passengers for significant delays via cash, lodging, or meal vouchers.
Under the rule, airlines were required to compensate passengers at least $200 when a flight is canceled or delayed due to mechanical issues.
The compensation could go up to $775 for flights delayed by more than nine hours.
If the law were passed, US airlines would be more closely aligned with European airlines, which have regulations for customers who experience delayed or canceled flights.
Frequent flyers who have experienced delayed or canceled flights in the past were supportive of the new legislation.
“You want someone to take care of you,” traveler Andy Seckinger told NBC affiliate WHEC.
“If it’s going to be an overnight thing, then you would expect they would put you up in a hotel.
“If it’s a delay and it becomes excessive…then you should be able to accommodate something for me.”
Group travel operations manager at AAA, Melissa Peterson, said the airline industry “got a little crazy” for a while for failing to provide protections for customers.
“We always recommend people book with a travel agent or travel advisor so there’s somebody available on the other side that can assist as well,” Peterson advised.
Peterson said the proposed protections may have come at a higher cost for airlines, but they were all put into place to protect travelers.
Peterson noted that passengers can always speak to an airline representative directly to try to rebook their flights, but this may come at an additional cost.
Several airlines have publicly opposed the Biden-era law, claiming it would harm their business.
Spirit Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time this year, released a statement about the financial consequences of having to reimburse passengers.
What to do if you luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged
IT is an awful experience when your baggage does not appear on the carousel.
However, travelers can take steps to get their bags back.
What if baggage is delayed?
If your bag doesn’t show up at your destination, make sure to speak to the nearest airline representative.
Airlines have a system that tracks where bags are and can see whether luggage has ever left an airport.
After getting as much information as possible from the representative, passengers can file a claim.
Once the bag is located, airlines will either deliver it straight to a flier’s door or send it to the nearest airport.
What if baggage is lost?
Fliers should stay in close contact with airlines throughout the search for their bags.
Sometimes, airlines will tell lucky passengers their bags are gone for good.
Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary.
Airlines are responsible for compensating travelers for lost bags’ contents as long as it doesn’t surpass maximum liability limits.
Airlines must also reimburse any fees that fliers paid out for a bag to be transported if it was found.
What if a bag is damaged?
Airlines are also required to pay back customers for bags’ contents that were damaged during flight.
However, the airline won’t take responsibility for items that were destroyed because the luggage was improperly packed.
Most airlines also won’t reimburse cash, electronics, fragile items, and perishables.
Anyone who has a bag damaged during flight should file a claim and discuss whether they can get a refund.
“There is no free lunch,” Spirit said.
“If every time a flight has to be cancelled due to, say, an aircraft maintenance issue, airlines were required to pay each affected passenger $300 plus hotel and meals, there would be a perverse incentive to cancel flights preemptively at any hint of trouble.”
The airline also noted that if the rule were to be implemented, it could increase operating costs, resulting in higher airfares.
When the Trump administration announced its decision to abandon the new law earlier this week, it noted that the withdrawal is “consistent with Department and administration priorities.”
Airlines for America, the trade group representing major airlines such as United and Delta, supported Trump’s move.
“We are encouraged by this Department of Transportation reviewing unnecessary and burdensome regulations that exceed its authority and don’t solve issues important to our customers,” the group told the Associated Press in a statement.
Spirit Airlines did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
