Also Would Require Airlines To Specify Allowable Child Seat Dimensions

Among the amendments which were passed as part of the Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill was one written by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) which would codify the so-called "three hour rule" limiting tarmac delays for airlines. The amendment would make permanent the "Airline Passengers Bill of Rights," which was implemented by the Department of Transportation last spring, as well as standardize rules dealing with child protection seats allowed on airliners.

"The Senate's vote is a huge victory for job creation, for the safety of air travel and for protecting the rights of airline passengers nationwide," said Kate Hanni, Executive Director of FlyersRights.org. "And the new Boxer-Snowe amendment for protecting our most vulnerable infants in FAA approved CRS restraints, is a giant step forward in protecting those who cannot advocate for themselves. FlyersRights.org has been fighting for 4 years to obtain permanent protections for airline passengers. We are fortunate to have such fierce defenders of our rights to freedom from being held hostage in an aircraft in Senator Boxer and Senator Snowe."

The Department of Transportation began implementing parts of the Boxer-Snowe Airline Passenger Bill of Rights last year, but the bill passed by the Senate would codify those protections into law. The protections include the so-called  "three-hour rule," which requires airlines to give passengers the option of returning to the terminal if they have been stuck on a plane for longer than three hours.

The FAA bill also would require airlines to develop contingency plans - approved by the Federal Aviation Administration - to ensure that passengers are provided with adequate food, water and restrooms, and allowed to deplane in the event of a lengthy tarmac delay. 

Kate Hanni

In addition, Senators Boxer and Snowe added an amendment to the FAA bill which would require air carriers to post up front the dimensions of a child safety seat that can be used on each aircraft operated by the air carrier to enable passengers to determine which child safety seats can be used on those aircraft.

The FAA Reauthorization Act will reportedly support 280,000 jobs nationwide, according to the U.S. Travel Association, while helping airports modernize their facilities and  improve safety.

FMI: www.FlyersRights.org