When it comes to the airline industry, passengers always have something to complain about. Now, as new federal rules aimed at tackling some of the least favorite parts of air travel take effect, the big question is whether they'll really make any big difference -- either to the flying public or to the airlines themselves.
The horrors of flying
In large part, the new rules aim to address some controversial delays over the past several years, including tarmac incidents with a JetBlue
Those problems have gotten the most negative publicity for airlines over the years. Certainly, JetBlue has worked hard to try to rid itself of the tarnish that the tarmac episode did to a formerly strong reputation.
Showing you the money
But the other rule changes are more likely to make a difference to the average passenger. The reason: They deal with everyday situations flyers face all the time.
For instance, passengers have gotten used to having to pay baggage fees when they travel. In fact, for airlines including Delta
What may seem appalling is that before these new rules took effect, airlines didn't technically have to refund those baggage fees if they lost your baggage in transit. Rules already provided for compensation for the actual loss or damage to baggage. But with fees on baggage ranging from around $25 for ordinary bags to $200 or more for overweight, oversized, or other special items, getting that money back is more important than ever.
Getting the bump
In addition, the new rules provide an updated compensation schedule for those who get bumped off of full flights. The old rules paid passengers as much as twice the one-way fare for their flight or $800, whichever was less. With the new rules, that number rises to four times the fare for a one-way ticket, with the maximum amount rising to $1,300.
You're probably familiar with airlines offering compensation to travelers willing to give up their seats on an overbooked flight. Often, airlines save money by offering vouchers worth less than the statutory overbooking fee, counting on discount-seeking passengers who jump at the chance for money toward future flights. As a result, the number of truly bumped passengers is much smaller than you might think. JetBlue, for instance, reported only 12 such passengers in the first quarter of 2011.
So the overbooking rule may end up being almost invisible to travelers. In some cases, savvy flyers might be able to hold out for more money in a voucher situation. But with airfares on the rise and a tight economy, odds are good that more passengers will be willing to take less compensation to get free travel.
More pressure on the airlines
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