Governor Elliot Spitzer of New York has signed a new Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights into law, ensuring that travelers will be protected in the event of airline delays.
The legislation demands that airline passengers traveling from the Big Apple be provided with food, water, fresh air, power, and working restrooms on airlines waiting on the ground for more than three hours.
“As a major international travel hub, it is our duty to take the lead in adopting measures that will ease air travel for passengers,” said Governor Spitzer.
“This law establishes much needed consumer protections that will help guarantee greater passenger safety and comfort when severe delays impact their travels from New York airports.”
It will also establish the framework for consumer protection guidelines, including the introduction of an Office of the Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board.
The Bill has been introduced in response to the outcry following inclement weather in February, which meant passengers on nine JetBlue aircraft were forced to wait on board at its JFK hub for more than six hours.
In the wake of the operational disaster, which also saw more than 1,000 JetBlue flights cancelled, the airline also issued its own Customer Bill of Rights.
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