This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill extending authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, which would otherwise expire on July 15. The bill is expected to be approved by the Senate as well.
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In addition to funding current FAA programs through September 30, 2017, the bill includes a number of provisions related to airport security and passenger rights. Among the most impactful:
Requires airlines to refund checked-bag fees when luggage is lost or “unreasonably delayed” Orders airlines to ensure that children 13 years old or younger are seated together with an adult or older child Requires airlines and airports to review and upgrade best practices for accommodating disabled travelers Tasks the TSA with expanding enrollment in the PreCheck trusted-traveler program Pressures the TSA to reduce checkpoint wait times by optimizing deployment of security personnel Strengthens mental-health screening for pilots, “addressing a factor in the 2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 crash”
Notably absent from the bill is any plan to privatize the country’s air-traffic control system, a move strongly supported by the airlines and some legislators.
In all, the bill would be a small net positive for travelers, who can expect slightly shorter lines at security checkpoints and a refund when their checked bags are mishandled.
More from SmarterTravel: TripAdvisor Adds User Reviews to Flight Search Why United’s $412 Million Write Down Is Good for Flyers How NOT to Use Loyalty Points for PreCheck
After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.
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Enter the Holland America Line “Choose Your Cruise” sweepstakes by March 31, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-day Holland America Line cruise for two to the winner’s choice of Alaska, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, or Europe, including most onboard meals.
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Tired of squeezing your ever-expanding frame into those ever-shrinking coach-class seats? So is Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation. And he wants the government to do something about it.
Likely in response to JetBlue’s systemwide double-points promotion, in effect through February 29, Virgin America is also offering double points, but only on select routes.
With the high probability of Virgin America’s being folded into Alaska Airlines within the next two years, Virgin loyalists are in the market for an alternative. And JetBlue wants to be that alternative.
Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) have a novel proposal to alleviate the expected congestion at airport security checkpoints this summer. In a letter sent this week to executives at 12 U.S. airlines, the senators called on the carriers to “suspend bag fees for the summer”:
Enter the Clos Du Bois “Spring in Sonoma” sweepstakes by April 26, 2016, for a chance to win one of the two grand prizes: trips for two to Sonoma, including air, three nights’ hotel, and $700 spending money.
Hilton titled the news release announcing upcoming changes to its Honors loyalty program as follows: “Hilton Honors Delivers Even More to Its Members in 2018 with Industry-Leading Earn Rates and New Benefits.”
For travelers to, from, or through Los Angeles International Airport, it may seem as though the airport, the world’s seventh busiest, is in a semi-permanent state of modernization and remodeling, with all the construction, traffic, and delays that entails. A pretty picture it ain’t.