Washington, D.C. – Dean of the United States House of Representatives, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) signed on as a cosponsor of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2011.  The bill, introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA01), would require air carriers to provide adequate food, water, temperature controls, ventilation, and working toilets during excessive delays, and offer passengers the option to deplane after three or more hours on the ground.

“I have been advocating for an Air Passenger Bill of Rights for years.  I am proud Congress has revisited the matter and I commend Representative Thompson for taking the lead to introduce such important consumer protection legislation,” said Dingell.  “The legislation will give airline passengers the rights they deserve and have been calling for.   Air travel is a main way people in the United States travel and passengers deserve an ensured standard of customer service.”

Congressman Dingell has been one of the leading advocates in the House of Representatives for Passengers Bill of Rights for over a decade.  He first introduced passenger protection legislation in 1999, after thousands of passengers at Detroit Metro airport were stranded on planes, some for over 11 hours without food, water and usable restroom facilities.  

“Voluntary commitments to improve customer service by the airlines are only that – promises to do better.  Promises are not enough and while treatment of passengers has improved, there is much more to do,” Dingell continued.  “Unfortunately there continues to be a few bad actors that won’t take the responsibility to put the needs of passengers first.  With the support of consumer protection groups and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, I hope we can finally enforce passenger rights to protect the flying public.”

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