In the face of federal deregulation of consumer protections for airline passengers, New York Attorney General Letitia James is stepping up to remind travelers of their rights, particularly during the bustling holiday season. In a move to safeguard New Yorkers against flight disruptions, from cancellations to severe delays, James is encouraging travelers to know where they stand and file complaints for potential compensation online, according to the Attorney General's Office.
“As New Yorkers head to the airport for the busiest travel days of the year, my office is going the extra mile to make sure they are treated fairly,” James stated in the announcement, and if experiencing significant delays, flight cancellations, or denied boarding after purchasing a ticket, to file complaints with the Attorney General's Office. Travelers who face disruptions can submit complaints online, but they should be ready with their booking details like tickets and itineraries also supporting documentation like filed complaints with airlines or ticket agents, if those documents are available—steps that serve as a band-aid over the rollback of policies that once mandated automatic compensation for certain travel woes.
Consolidating the rights consumers can still confidently expect, the press release further informs that travelers have a right to a full ticket refund within 24 hours if a purchase was made at least seven days before the flight, though most discount fares are non-refundable; this is especially pertinent during the holiday crush when plans can change on a dime. A refund is also guaranteed if an airline cancels a flight and the consumer prefers not to accept substitutes like travel credits or vouchers..
Additionally, airlines have a binding obligation to stick to their customer service plans, which includes suitably tending to passengers during manageable delays or cancellations promises that are cataloged on the DOT’s airline cancellation and delay dashboard for public scrutiny, Attorney General's Office affirms this, and they advise that if an airline overbooks a flight the unlucky passengers who gets bumped, they too may have monetary reimbursement coming to them and are entitled to a written explanation of their rights and the airline’s selection process for bumping.
For New Yorkers eager to file a grievance related to air travel snafus, they can reach out online or place a call to the OAG at 1-800-771-7755.
