BLOG: Newest Airline Rules Go Into Effect Today

By Jim Donovan: New federal rules designed to prevent long tarmac delays for international passengers, provide greater compensation if travelers are bumped off flights and require airlines to disclose extra fees takes effect today.

Here are some of the changes:

Airlines are now required to refund any fee paid to check luggage, if that luggage is lost. This is in addition to the previous regulations that requires airlines to compensate passengers for reasonable expenses for loss, damage or delayed passenger baggage.

The Department of Transportation may impose fines on both U.S. and foreign airlines of up to $27,500 per passenger if they leave an international flight on a tarmac for more than four hours without taking off.

Compensation for bumped passengers from an oversold flight has been increased. Those bumped passengers will now get double the price of their tickets up to $650 if their arrival at their destination is delayed just a few hours. Longer delays would trigger payments of four times the value of their tickets, up to $1,300.

Airlines now have to prominently disclose all fees on their websites, including fees for checking bags, providing meals and canceling reservations.

You can expect the next round of rules to take effect in late January. Of course that will be right after the mayhem experienced during the holiday travel season. Go figure.....