Consumer complaints
In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a consumer complaints toll-free hotline telephone number for the use of passengers in air transportation (including transportation by air ambulance (as defined by the Secretary of Transportation)) and shall take actions to notify the public of—
that telephone number; and
the Internet Web site of the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation.
Notice to Passengers on the Internet.—
An air carrier or foreign air carrier providing scheduled air transportation using any aircraft that as originally designed has a passenger capacity of 30 or more passenger seats shall include on the Internet Web site of the carrier—
the hotline telephone number established under subsection (a);
the e-mail address, telephone number, and mailing address of the air carrier for the submission of complaints by passengers about air travel service problems; and
the Internet Web site and mailing address of the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation for the submission of complaints by passengers about air travel service problems.
Notice to Passengers on Boarding Documentation.—
Each air carrier and foreign air carrier shall include the hotline telephone number established under subsection (a) on—
prominently displayed signs of the carrier at the airport ticket counters in the United States where the carrier operates; and
any electronic confirmation of the purchase of a passenger ticket for air transportation issued by the carrier.
Use of New Technologies.—
The Secretary shall periodically evaluate the benefits of using mobile phone applications or other widely used technologies to provide new means for air passengers to communicate complaints in addition to the telephone number established under subsection (a) and shall provide such new means as the Secretary determines appropriate.
Air Ambulance Providers.—
Each air ambulance provider shall include the hotline telephone number, link to the Internet website established under subsection (a), and contact information for the Aviation Consumer Advocate established under section 425 1
any invoice, bill, or other communication provided to a passenger or customer of the provider; and
its Internet Web site, and any related mobile device application.
Source
(Added Pub. L. 112–95, title IV, § 415(a),Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date
Rulemaking
Aviation Consumer Advocate
In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall review aviation consumer complaints received that allege a violation of law and, as appropriate, pursue enforcement or corrective actions that would be in the public interest.
Considerations.—
In considering which cases to pursue for enforcement or corrective action under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—
the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–435; 100 Stat. 1080);
unfair and deceptive practices by air carriers (including air ambulance operators), foreign air carriers, and ticket agents;
the terms and conditions agreed to between passengers and air carriers (including air ambulance operators), foreign air carriers, or ticket agents;
aviation consumer protection and tarmac delay contingency planning requirements for both airports and airlines;
protection of air ambulance consumers; and
any other applicable law.
Aviation Consumer Advocate.—
In general.—
Within the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation, there shall be an Aviation Consumer Advocate.
Functions.—
The Aviation Consumer Advocate shall—
assist consumers in resolving carrier service complaints filed with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division;
review the resolution by the Department of Transportation of carrier service complaints;
identify and recommend actions the Department can take to improve the enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules, protection of air ambulance consumers, and resolution of carrier service complaints; and
identify and recommend regulations and policies that can be amended to more effectively resolve carrier service complaints.
Annual Reports.—
The Secretary, through the Aviation Consumer Advocate, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] an annual report summarizing the following:
The total number of annual complaints received by the Department, including the number of complaints by the name of each air carrier and foreign air carrier.
The total number of annual complaints by category of complaint.
The number of complaints referred in the preceding year for enforcement or corrective action by the Department.
Any recommendations under paragraphs (2)(C) and (2)(D) of subsection (c).
Such other data as the Aviation Consumer Advocate considers appropriate.
Sunset on Reporting Requirement.—
The reporting requirement of subsection (d) shall terminate on
DOT Airline Consumer Complaint Investigations
flight cancellations;
compliance with Federal regulations concerning overbooking seats on flights;
lost, damaged, or delayed baggage, and difficulties with related airline claims procedures;
problems in obtaining refunds for unused or lost tickets or fare adjustments;
incorrect or incomplete information about fares, discount fare conditions and availability, overcharges, and fare increases;
the rights of passengers who hold frequent flyer miles or equivalent redeemable awards earned through customer-loyalty programs; and
deceptive or misleading advertising.”