The Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 was re-introduced in the Senate (S.213) on January 12, 2009,
by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and in the House of Representatives (H.R.624) on January 21, 2009, by Rep. Mike
Thompson (D-CA). The legislation aims to improve airline customer service commitment by enacting minimum
standards for long on-board tarmac delays, as well as to improve the health and safety of passengers and crew under
such circumstances.
The U.S. Department of Transportation passengers’ bill of rights goes into effect on April 1st.
It requires that:
• Domestic flights carriers must let passengers get off the plane if they’ve been sitting on the tarmac for three hours.
• Airlines must provide food and water within two hours.
• cabin ventilation and comfortable cabin temperature.
• Access to necessary medical treatment.
• Airlines must provide workable toilets.
• If they don’t follow these rules, they might be fined $27,500 per passenger.
In 2007-08, passengers on 1,500 flights were forced to sit on the tarmac for more than three hours, according to the DOT.
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