What To Know About The Potential Airline Rule Changes That Are Sure To Outrage Fliers

Air travel can be complicated, expensive, and even messy at times. Whenever a flight gets canceled or delayed, most passengers aren't sure if they are truly getting their money's worth here. While passengers do currently have protections, such as refunds, transparent pricing, and accessibility accommodations, a recent push from airlines aims to strip these rights away. In an attempt to mitigate flight costs, airlines believe that removing passenger protections will cheapen the deal for consumers. But is it worth the price for a more and more uncomfortable experience on planes?

American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and Southwest Airlines are some of the many airlines pushing for extensive deregulation of passenger protections. The deregulations range from eliminating guaranteed family seating to removing the requirement to refund passengers for cancelled flights. While airlines claim they hope to mitigate costs for passengers, this sneaky potential airport change seems like it will ultimately benefit airlines over customers. 

Consumer advocate and journalist Christopher Elliott noted in USA Today that this is an alarming development for consumers, stating, "The industry's 93-page wish list suggests they're willing to test just how much passengers will tolerate." Elliott argues that this push from airlines is an attempt for them to make more money and take less accountability for frustrating customer experiences. But what exactly is on the line?

The list of deregulations proposed by Airlines for America (A4A) lobbyists contains a wide range of demands, but there are four key developments being pushed for. Currently, airlines are required to give passengers an automatic refund when their flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. Airlines want this to instead be up to their discretion, deciding who and when they will refund passengers depending on the situation. They also want to make transparent pricing a bit more cloudy by hiding the costs of baggage, seat assignments, and other fees.

Airlines also want to eliminate guaranteed family seating, even if the family has young children. Instead, families may have to pay extra to ensure they are able to sit next to one another on a flight. The final main request airlines are pushing for is less protection and accessibility for disabled passengers, making these companies less accountable for their safety and comfort.

Other requests include further implementation of new technology and AI, limiting the Department of Transportation's authority on airline procedures, and investing in further innovation. Journalist Christopher Elliott predicts airlines will get some of their demands met by the U.S. government, but not all. However, it is still unclear what, when, and how much of their deregulatory wishes will be answered.