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FlyersRights.org

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FlyersRights.org is a United States–based not-for-profit organization that advocates for the rights and interests of airline passengers. It maintains a staffed office in Washington, D.C. for advocacy before all three branches of the US Federal Government. It operates a toll-free telephone Hotline, an email helpline for individual air travelers and a website with a 'Know Your Rights' online guide. It issues research and policy papers, conducts surveys, sponsors online petitions, maintains an active website and social media presence, provides expert advice on aviation consumer issues to public policy makers and opinion leaders and engages in public education activities.

FlyersRights.org
PredecessorCoalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights[1]
FormationDecember 29, 2006; 17 years ago (2006-12-29)[2]
FounderKate Hanni[3]
Founded atAustin, Texas, United States[2]
Typeconsumer organization
Legal statusNonprofit organization
PurposeAirline passenger rights
ServicesPolitical advocacy
Membership
40,000[4]
President
Paul Hudson[4]
Websiteflyersrights.org

FlyersRights became nationally known in 2009 after the passing of the Three-Hour Rule. The Department of Transportation supported FlyersRights' mandate, requiring all airlines operating in the United States to deplane passengers if a tarmac delay extends beyond three hours.[5][6]

It is the biggest non-profit consumer organization in North America representing passengers of commercial airlines.[7]

In 2010, the 24-hour Hotline was launched at 1-877-FLYERS6 (359-3776).[8]

Legislation

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In 2011, FlyersRights.org pushed a rule through the U.S. Department Of Transportation, which expanded on passenger protections[9] which became the Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights.[10]

In 2015, FlyersRights.org drafted and filed a petition[11] to the U.S. Congress calling for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set guidelines for the minimum distance between rows in planes and to appoint a committee to help develop benchmarks. Tens of thousands[12] signed their names to the petition.

In February 2016, Congressman Steve Cohen, (D-TN), introduced an amendment to a FAA funding bill called the Seat Egress in Air Travel which mandated a certain amount of legroom to passengers for safety, health and comfort. It was defeated[13] in the House Transportation Committee.[14]

Two weeks later Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) also added an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill requiring the agency to set the seat-size guidelines. In April 2016, The Senate voted down the amendment on a 54-to-42 vote, with most Democrats supporting the amendment and most Republicans opposed.[15] This Act was signed into law on October 5, 2018.[16]

January 2019 – FlyersRights.org advocates for reforms to prevent and obtain justice for victims of in-flight sexual assault and harassment.[17]

February 2020 – FlyersRights.org briefs Senate Commerce Committee and House Transportation Committee on helicopter safety following the fatal Kobe Bryant crash.[18]

February 2020 – In Flyersrights Education Fund vs. U.S. Department of Transportation, international change fees are upheld by appeal court.[19]

March 2020 – FlyersRights.org calls for consumer protections and much needed consumer relief be included as a condition of any government bailout to the airlines.[20]

May 2020 – FlyersRights.org endorses legislation by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for nationwide rules to protect the health and safety of the flying public by requiring face masks and social distancing in air travel during Coronavirus pandemic.[21]

June 2020 – FlyersRights.org calls on Congress to protect aviation safety and restore public confidence in aviation safety following the crashes of Lion Air flight JT610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302.[22]

July 2020 – Endorsed Bill to ensure families can safely fly together, children can sit with parents at no additional cost, introduced by Senators Markey, Schumer and Klobuchar.[23]

Dec 2020 – FlyersRights.org court appeal of the FAA ungrounding of the Boeing 737 MAX, based on secret testing and refusal to reveal the technical details of the MAX fix, preventing independent experts to evaluate its safety.[24]

March 2021 – FlyersRights.org unveils Social Distancing and Stimulus Plan to make flights less crowded.[25]

Litigation

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FlyersRights partnered with Travelers United to file an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court on December 20, 2016, in support of an injured passenger's appeal in Von Schoenebeck v. KLM.[26]

In December 2019, FlyersRights.org sued the FAA for failure to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to the FAA's process for evaluating Boeing's proposed fixes to the 737 MAX.[27]

Aviation safety

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FlyersRights.org has been critical of the FAA's airplane certification process.

Since 2008, membership on the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee[28] as the designated representative of the traveling public re aviation safety, and membership on the FAA Evacuation Advisory Rulemaking Committee (2019–2020).

In May 2013, in the aftermath of the Boeing 787 grounding due to lithium-ion battery fires, FlyersRights.org, with independent experts, challenged the FAA's preliminary fix as inadequate to prevent future fires or to warn pilots or ground crews of overheating batteries.[29] FlyersRights.org proposed an ETOPS rating of 120 until the FAA could demonstrate the safety of the 787. In 2014, the NTSB would find that the FAA was too reliant on Boeing's assertions of the battery's safety. Meanwhile, Airbus announced it would avoid using Boeing's lithium-ion battery in its planes.[30]

When the FAA Flight Standardization Board recommended iPad training rather than simulator training for pilots of the grounded 737 MAX in April 2019,[31] FlyersRights.org lobbied to extend the public comment period and argued for simulator training.[32] Seven months later, Boeing announced that it would require simulator training for pilots.[33]

FlyersRights.org published a white paper on the 737 MAX's design flaws and the problematic FAA certification process, including Boeing's large role.[34] FlyersRights.org recommended

  1. Release of technical details of fix to outside experts for evaluation
  2. Suspension of Organization Designation Authorization (ODA)
  3. Criminal and civil prosecution of Boeing and its employees who hid or misrepresented dangerous conditions
  4. Simulator training for pilots
  5. Increased funding of FAA certification and safety oversight
  6. Oath of office requirement for industry personnel with delegated authority and whistleblower and other employment protections

FlyersRights' rulemaking petitions

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  • Mask Rule Petition[35]
  • Coronavirus Refund Petition[36]
  • Airline Passenger Bill of Rights 2.0[37]
  • Petition re Exorbitant Airline Change Fees[38]
  • Petition re Shrinking of Airline Seats and Passenger Space[39]
  • Petition Reinstating the Reciprocity Rule[40]

Reports and policy papers

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FlyersRights Publishes COVID-19 Air Travel Mitigation Policy Memorandum, applauding the Administration's first steps[41]

FlyersRights.org Boeing 737 MAX White Paper.[42]

FlyersRights, Aviation Experts Cast Doubt on Safety of Boeing 737 MAX Ungrounding, ask Court to Order Disclosure of Key Documents and Tests[43]

Ground all helicopters without crashworthy safety features now.[44]

FAA declines to regulate airline seating.[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Consumer groups seeking investigations into flight cancellations". The Business Journals. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Airline passengers' bill(s) of rights take off". msnbc.com. 2008-01-22. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Airline passenger advocate's credibility under fire". travelweekly.com. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b Los Angeles Times (23 December 2014). "Full flights make cancellations harder to rebook; new rules sought". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  5. ^ "3-hour limit placed on airline passengers' tarmac waits". Los Angeles Times. 2009-12-22. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  6. ^ "Fly Rights | US Department of Transportation". www.transportation.gov. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  7. ^ "FlyersRights.org Heralds Another Major Victory for Consumers: Fairness and Clarity in Fares... -- NAPA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --". prnewswire.com. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  8. ^ "More from FlyersRights.org". 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  9. ^ "U.S. Department of Transportation Expands Airline Passenger Protections". Department of Transportation. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  10. ^ "StackPath". www.aviationpros.com. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  11. ^ "Airline seats". The Economist. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Support the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights". flyersrights.org. Archived from the original on 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  13. ^ "Proposal to Standardize Airline Seat Size Shot Down". APEX - Airline Passenger Experience. 2016-02-12. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  14. ^ Thom Patterson. "Lawmaker loses war against small airline seats". CNN. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  15. ^ "The Senate just voted against airplane legroom standards". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  16. ^ "FAA Reauthorization".
  17. ^ "Inflight sexual harassment incidents demand better response". Runway Girl. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  18. ^ "Our Helicopter Safety Recommendations" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  19. ^ FlyersRights.org. "Federal Appeal Court Denies Flyers Rights' Petition To Require Department Of Transportation Mandate Notices To Passengers For Delay Compensation Rights". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  20. ^ "Our Statement on Airline Bailout Legislation and Coronavirus Measures". 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  21. ^ "Senators Markey and Blumenthal to Introduce Legislation Convening Aviation, Security, and Public Health Experts to Ensure Safe Air Travel During and After Coronavirus Pandemic | U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts". www.markey.senate.gov. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  22. ^ "Wicker/Cantwell Senate Bill Is a Step in the Right Direction, But Fundamental Change Is Needed to Ensure Air Safety and Prevent Another 737 MAX Tragedy". 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  23. ^ "Klobuchar, Markey, Schumer Introduce Legislation to Ensure Families Can Safely Fly Together". U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  24. ^ "FlyersRights Appeals the FAA's 737 Max Ungrounding Decision". Flying. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  25. ^ "Air Travel Stimulus Plan" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  26. ^ "Von Schoenebeck vs KLM" (PDF).
  27. ^ "Case Detail | The FOIA Project". Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  28. ^ "Press Release – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao Announces Appointees to Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  29. ^ "Petition for the FAA grounding order of the Boeing 787". 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  30. ^ "Airbus to switch batteries on A350". BBC News. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  31. ^ "FAA Board Sees No Need for New Boeing 737 Max Simulator Training". Bloomberg.com. 2019-04-16. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  32. ^ "FlyersRights.org Demands Simulator Training for 737 MAX Pilots, Moves for FAA to Extend Deadline for Public Comments on Differential Training". 2019-05-01. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  33. ^ Kitroeff, Natalie; Gelles, David (2020-01-07). "In Reversal, Boeing Recommends 737 Max Simulator Training for Pilots". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  34. ^ "Flyers Rights 737 MAX White Paper" (PDF).
  35. ^ "Petition for Petition for a Mandatory Mask Rule". Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  36. ^ "Petition for Coronavirus Refund Petition". flyersrights.org. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  37. ^ "Petition for Airline Passenger Bill of Rights 2.0". flyersrights.org. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  38. ^ "Petition for Exorbitant Airline Change Fees". Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  39. ^ "Petition for Shrinking of Airline Seats & Space". flyersrights.org. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  40. ^ "Petition for Reinstating the Reciprocity Rule". Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  41. ^ FlyersRights.org. "Flyers Rights Publishes Covid-19 Air Travel Mitigation Policy Memorandum, Applauds the Administration's First Steps". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  42. ^ Andrew Appelbaum (2019-11-05). "FlyersRights.org Boeing 737 MAX White Paper -". Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  43. ^ FlyersRights.org. "FlyersRights, Aviation Experts Cast Doubt on Safety of Boeing 737 MAX Ungrounding, Ask Court to Order Disclosure of Key Documents and Tests". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  44. ^ "StackPath". www.intelligent-aerospace.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  45. ^ "FAA declines to regulate airline seating -". 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
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