Out There
November/December 2007

Fight for your Rights

We all have our nightmare travel stories: difficulties with the plane, late departures, or, worse, flights that are canceled outright. It’s easy to feel powerless in these situations, but you don’t have to! All large carriers must adhere to what is called the Rule 240 provision. Rule 240 is an airline ordinance that spells out passengers’ rights in the event of delays, cancellations, missed connections, and other issues “within the control” of the airline.

Essentially, if the plane doesn’t fly and it’s the airline’s fault, turn to Rule 240. For instance, if your flight is canceled or delayed or you miss a connecting flight due to a scheduling irregularity, the airline must confirm you on its next flight (on which space is available) at no additional cost. In addition, if there is an alternate flight that will arrive at your destination earlier than the flight you’ve been offered, you have the right to be confirmed on that flight at no additional cost, even if first-class space is all that’s available.

Although Rule 240 is meant to be helpful and protect passengers’ rights, some of the lower-fare carriers (such as JetBlue) don’t have a Rule 240 provision, although many of them have their own set of standards from which they operate. Because the rule is not widely publicized, it’s a good idea to carry a copy of the provision pertaining to the specific airline. If you find yourself in a situation where you are being treated unfairly, use Rule 240 as your guide for demanding different treatment. For reference on Rule 240 go to www.mytravelrights.com.