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American Airlines Offers To Compensate Passenger Who Complained Of Being ‘Wedged’ Between ‘Obese’ People

American Airlines Offers To Compensate Passengers Who Complained Of Being ‘Wedged’ Between ‘Obese’ People
American Airlines Flight Attendant Orders First-Class Traveler to use Economy Restroom

Sydney Watson, a passenger, tweeted last week about her discomfort with the seating on her American Airlines flight. Watson griped about being “wedged” in the middle seat between two obese people.

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She stated that the “huge” travellers were “too fat to be on a plane.” She asserted that she was “sweated on” and “touched without her consent” during the three-hour journey.She asked American Airlines for “repatriations,” and the airline first replied to one of her tweets by saying, “Our passengers come in all various shapes and sizes. We apologize if your flight was uncomfortable for you.

However, it appears that she has now actually received the “repatriations” she requested. Watson uploaded a letter she got from the airline, offering her a $150 credit, according to Lad Bible. In the letter, it is stated that “I truly regret the enjoyment and comfort of your flight AA was compromised due to another client exceeding their seat’s space.”

In a following harsh tweet, Watson continued to criticize the passengers she was sitting next to and stated: “I’d rather take the $150 American Airlines offered me as a refund and give it to someone who needs a PT or a gym membership.” However, she did not specify whether she would be accepting the compensation offer.

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DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

  1. Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
    • Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
    • A tiered compensation system is being considered:
      • $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
      • $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
      • $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
    • The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
  2. Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
    • Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
    • Rebooking options may include:
      • Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
      • Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
  3. Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
    • Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
    • Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.

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