Airlines

Emirates launches new exclusive lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport

In preparation for a busy summer travel season, Emirates and Extime have teamed up at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to offer premium travelers a new, exclusively designated lounge space in Terminal 1 while Terminal 2 renovations are ongoing.

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Emirates will provide travelers with a classy private lounge with a total of 155 seats, indoor and outdoor space, and superb food and beverage choices. Emirates is one of the few airlines that have a dedicated location in Terminal 1 for customers. The dedicated lounge, which averages 190 users per day, will provide comfort and refreshment for Emirates passengers until aircraft operations relocate to Terminal 2 in July 2024 and a newly built Emirates Lounge opens.

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Customers of Emirates will be able to indulge in a wide variety of delectable dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including international favourites like salmon tikka, fish tajin, butter chicken, and beef stroganoff as well as French favourites like Croque-monsieur, crêpes, and French financier. Professionals with experience from Haute Hospitality staff the lounge.

With a bright and airy bistro feel, the chic lounge features wood and leather accents, against a backdrop of warm white tones, green topiary and contemporary light fixtures. Customers can refresh in showers and washrooms, connect to complimentary Wi-Fi, read up on the news, and enjoy a plentiful buffet and alcoholic beverages from 6am to 9:30pm daily. The dedicated lounge for Emirates customers will also be fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The present redevelopment programme at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is anticipated to extend until 2024. The project’s goal is to expand and update airport infrastructure to accommodate more travelers and boost air traffic to the milestone of 80 million passengers annually.

Airlines

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:

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.
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.
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.