After a 14-hour delay on WOW Air, Rachael Lopez thinks she’s entitled to some compensation. WOW disagrees. Who’s right? Read more “WOW Air, where’s my compensation for that 14-hour delay?”
Tag: CONSUMER PROTECTION
A survival guide to air travel in 2018
If you thought 2017 was a challenging year for airline passengers, just wait until you see what’s ahead. Read more “A survival guide to air travel in 2018”
The DOT has fined fewer airlines this year. Should you be worried?
If it seems as if airlines are getting away with more passenger-unfriendly behavior, maybe it’s because they are.
The Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation (DOT), which is responsible for enforcing federal consumer-protection regulations, is on track to punish significantly fewer airlines this year, issuing 18 consent orders for $3.1 million in civil penalties. By comparison, the DOT had 29 orders worth $6.4 million for 2016, which included a $1.6 million fine against American Airlines for violating its tarmac delay rules handed down in mid-December. Barring a last-minute flurry of penalties, 2017 will be a much quieter year for the department. Read more “The DOT has fined fewer airlines this year. Should you be worried?”
These anti-consumer laws should be repealed now
Some rules and regulations work as intended. Some don’t. Read more “These anti-consumer laws should be repealed now”
We need these consumer laws now
If you’ve ever said, “There ought to be a law,” then you’re one of a million frustrated consumers. And you are not alone. Read more “We need these consumer laws now”
The American way of following European consumer protection laws
If I’ve seen Lee Wendkos’s case once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Delayed on his way to Europe, he tried to invoke EU 261, the legendary and often misinterpreted European consumer protection law. And he failed.
Yes, this feature is called Case Dismissed, but there’s a lot to be learned from our consumer missteps. With the busy summer travel season just around the corner, here’s one lesson you need to take with you: Airlines hate EU 261. Get every promise in writing or you’ll end up with nothing.
Read more “The American way of following European consumer protection laws”
LaHood on Spirit’s carry-on baggage fees: “We’re gonna hold the airline’s feet to the fire on this”
Spirit Airlines’ decision to begin charging passengers for carry-on luggage — and lowering some fares to a penny — has caught the attention of the federal government, as many predicted it would. In part one of our exclusive interview with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, we talk about fees, consumer protection and the future of airline service.
Read more “LaHood on Spirit’s carry-on baggage fees: “We’re gonna hold the airline’s feet to the fire on this””