Six Airline Passenger Rights That You Should Remember

The Air Passenger Bill of Rights which took effect last December 21, 2012, signed by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Trade Secretary Gregorio Domingo, sets guidelines on several airline practices, such overbooking, rebooking, ticket refunds, cancelled and delayed flights, lost luggage and misleading advertisements on fares, all of which are top causes of passenger complaints in 2011. 

Here are the things you should take note of before you engage and book that flight: 

Full Disclosure

The first is Airlines are compelled to fully disclose to passengers both in print and verbally what is at stake when they rebook flights, refund tickets, impose conditions on baggage allowances, check-in policies, and their promotional fares. 

These conditions of the fare must be printed when airlines issue passenger tickets or boarding passes and must be delivered electronically when tickets are bought online. It should also be verbally explained to the passenger in English or in Filipino with emphasis on the limitations or restrictions attached to the ticket. 

Promotional fares also should include the number of seats offered on a per sector basis and not just the promotional duration. 

The following are the provisions in the Airline Passenger Bill of rights that outlines the compensation passengers should receive. 

Check-in

If you arrive within the designated check-in area at least one hour before the flight's published time of departure, you will not be considered late and the carrier is obliged to make sure you are checked in within the deadline. (This is where web check-in services come in handy, especially if you feel that you might be a bit late. Plus it allows you to zip through the long check in lines that are usually happening with budget airlines)

Overbooked flights

An airline is allowed to overbook a flight, an industry practice of selling more than the seats the aircraft has, based on for a specific flight, as long as the passengers who are bumped off do so voluntarily.

If you volunteer to choose a different flight, the airline will offer you compensation in the form of amenities or cash incentives.

If the number of volunteers is not enough to resolve the overbooking, the airline is mandated to increase the compensation package by adding more services until the required number of volunteers is met.

Lost Luggage or Off Loaded Luggage

The Airlines covered by this bill includes both local and foreign Airlines. 

For lost luggages, airlines will have to compensate passengers P2,000 for every day that a bag is missing. After 7 days, that bag will be deemed lost and the passenger will be compensated based on "relevant convention." (I wonder if this covers umbrellas that get lost, such as what had happened to me and my friends last week in our flight back from Singapore with Cebu Pacific Airlines, something that I shall be checking on shortly)

Delayed flights

Airlines are required to provide free food, drinks, Internet access, phone use and, in extreme circumstances, hotel lodging until the flight departs. (I feel that there are a lot of free meals that were due to me and my friends, luckily this wasn't in effect back then)

The flight is considered cancelled if it is delayed at least 6 hours after the original departure time. You have the right to be compensated accordingly. 

Flight cancellation

If your flight is cancelled, you have to be notified in advance via public announcement or written notice such as through a text message. (It would be best to subscribe or follow an Airline's twitter account as they normally announce these notices through there)

If an air carrier cancels the flight because of unavoidable circumstances, safety or security reasons the passenger shall have the right to be reimbursed for the full value of the fare.

I personally am happy that there has been a move by our government with regards to the our rights as Airline Passengers. The only thing left is for us to show vigilance that this is being fully implemented and if not make them aware that we know our rights well.

If you have had an experience that are related to this topic, I strongly encourage for you to share it with us here. Simply leave it at the comments area. Your story can eventually help others that are experiencing the same thing, plus it allows us to keep track if this bill is being implemented and upheld properly.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-