Airline passengers benefit from new rules

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Advertising and consumer regulations aimed at protecting the rights of airline passengers take effect this week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

Among the new provisions are requirements that airlines and ticket agents include all mandatory taxes and fees in published airfares and that they disclose baggage fees to consumers buying tickets online, the Transportation Department said Monday in a release.

The provisions are part of an airline consumer rule the department issued in April.

"Airline passengers have rights, and they should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when booking a trip and when they fly," LaHood said. "The new passenger protections taking effect this week are a continuation of our effort to help air travelers receive the respect they deserve."

Also beginning this week, are regulations allowing passengers to hold a reservation without payment, or cancel a booking without penalty, for 24 hours after the reservation is made, provided the reservation is made at least a week before the flight's departure date, LaHood said. Additionally, airlines will be required to notify passengers promptly of flight delays longer than 30 minutes, as well as flight cancellations and diversions, and they generally will be barred from raising the price of passengers' ticket after purchase.

The consumer protections begin Tuesday and the advertising provision takes effect Thursday.