The U.S. House of Representatives is set to pass a bill that will shape aviation policy for the next five years, aiming to improve consumer protection measures and flight standards when purchasing tickets, boarding, and changing flights.
It is expected that the House will submit this nearly 1,000-page bill, the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, to President Biden on Wednesday, May 15. The bill will guide aviation policy for the next five years, including the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and allowing for more use of drones and air taxi aircraft in crowded skies.
According to Politico, the bill takes only moderate measures to address serious issues affecting air travel, with little action taken against Boeing’s quality lapses and allegations of lax federal oversight. While the bill largely avoids addressing issues related to Boeing, it plans to provide $105 billion in funding to the FAA over five years and strengthen the organization’s air traffic controller workforce organization and management.
The Senate approved the bill last Thursday, and Biden is expected to sign it before the May 17 deadline.
Here is a summary compiled by Bloomberg on how the Reauthorization Act will impact travel:
The bill will allow passengers to automatically receive a full refund if they choose not to take a flight or accept a rebooking, voucher, points, or compensation after significant flight delays or cancellations.
This will apply to domestic flights delayed by three hours or more and international flights delayed by six hours or more.
Currently, the expiration of ticket vouchers depends on the airline, typically expiring within one to two years of issuance. The FAA Reauthorization Act will require airlines to extend the validity of vouchers, airline points, and other forms of flight compensation to five years or more.
In December 2022, Southwest Airlines’ software system collapsed during a winter storm, leaving millions of passengers stranded at airports over the Christmas holiday period, facing long waits for customer service and minimal communication from the airline.
The reauthorization bill requires airlines to provide around-the-clock customer service through phone, text, or instant messaging, in response to the Southwest Airlines delay incident. Legislators emphasize that these forms of communication should have “no excessive wait times, especially during major flight disruptions.”
From booking to takeoff, seemingly low-cost flight fares may become more expensive. The bill will require airlines to clearly display additional fees, such as checked baggage or reservation change fees, before booking flights.
The legislation will mandate airlines to meet special seating requests for passengers with disabilities, such as seats near restrooms or seats with extra legroom. Airlines must also provide information on wheelchair booking on their public websites upon request.
Additional protection will be provided for passengers carrying wheelchairs and other mobility aids, as complaints about these devices being lost or damaged have been ongoing for years.
The bill also mandates that the Federal Aviation Administration design aircraft capable of efficiently evacuating passengers, including appropriate seating sizes.
A funding program will be established to encourage U.S. airports to improve accessibility standards.
One of the most controversial aspects of the bill might be the allowance for five additional round-trip flights to operate through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the airport closest to downtown Washington, D.C.
However, legislators in the Washington area believe that this will exacerbate traffic congestion and jeopardize safety. For other lawmakers from around the country, increasing flights is a popular project, as they often commute between Washington and their districts twice a week.