Advocates call on Biden Administration to act on airline travel mandates

The mandates in the 2024 FAA reauthorization law are an opportunity to do even more on behalf of the flying public. This consumer letter on FAA rules provides ways to help.

The undersigned consumer letter on FAA rules urges the Biden Administration and the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to move swiftly to enact the statutory directives in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Our organizations are deeply appreciative of the steps DOT has already taken under your leadership to make airline passenger protection a priority. The mandates in the 2024 FAA reauthorization law are an opportunity to do even more on behalf of the flying public.

Consumers ask that the administration starts now on changes.

With the summer travel season underway, consumer and passenger rights advocates today called on the Biden Administration to act expeditiously on consumer protection rulemakings and other actions mandated by the recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization language. In a letter to President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg, the groups urged the Administration to prioritize the following actions:

• Nominating a pro-passenger Assistant Secretary of Aviation Consumer Protection;
• Ensuring that the FAA establishes minimum seat size standards for air carriers;
• Improving reporting of the causes of flight delays to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT);
• Ensuring that customer service channels are staffed by humans; and
• Completing an independent non-partisan study of airline industry consolidation.

Don’t wait until the next election.

“Beginning the hard work of making airline travel less frustrating for passengers should not wait for the next election,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at the National Consumers League (NCL), which organized the letter. “Congress gave the Administration an aggressive timeline for implementing the new law, and we do not want these important new protections to be slow walked.”

“Both parties and both Houses of Congress put forth key protections for consumer advocacy, competition, and safety,” said William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation & Travel at American Economic Liberties Project. “In the past we’ve seen legislation that was not fully acted upon, and we urge the Biden Administration to swiftly and decisively implement these new laws.”

“The message from Congress is clear: the Administration must promptly take concrete steps to improve air travel for Americans,” said Erin Witte, Director of Consumer Protection for Consumer Federation of America. “Rather than waiting or delaying, the Administration should push forward and prioritize the implementation of the Reauthorization Act.”

Make travel pleasant again.

“Congress has done its job and now it’s time for the Administration to do theirs,” said Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog Director at U.S. PIRG. “As we saw during COVID, our economy and our quality of life relies a lot on safe, reliable air travel. We’re eager to see these changes enacted quickly in hopes that air travel will become pleasant again.”

“Since 2007, FlyersRights as the largest airline passenger organization has been advocating for many of the provisions in this legislation,” said Paul Hudson, President of FlyersRights.org. “But while Congress previously required the FAA to enact numerous measures, such as minimum seat size in 2018, FAA and DOT have often failed to act on Congressional mandates. This time must be different!”

Signed by nine consumer and passenger advocacy organizations.

The letter was signed by nine consumer and passenger advocacy organizations, including the American Economic Liberties Project, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, FlyersRights.org, National Consumers League, Public Citizen, Travelers United, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

To read the full letter, click here.