Congress Could Be the Key to a More Comfortable Flight
Good news, frequent fliers: Congress is proposing a bill that would make travel a little more comfortable and convenient for all of us.
A proposed bill contains contingencies against the involuntary bumping of passengers who have already boarded the aircraft, in addition to providing more comprehensive explanations about how airlines handle flight delays and accommodations for passengers with disabilities.
Most importantly, the 1,204 page document includes mandatory minimum measurements for airline seats. Should it be passed, the Department of Transportation will have one year to establish the “minimum dimensions for the safety and health of passengers,” Travel + Leisure reports—including the distance between rows and width of seats.
Earlier this year, American Airlines, whose seat pitch is about two inches smaller than JetBlue and Southwest, announced plans to shrink their pitch to match that of Spirit and Frontier on their newer Boeing Max 737 aircraft. The airline quickly reneged after the enormous amount of backlash they received across the web.
“Relief could soon be on the way for weary airline passengers facing smaller and smaller seats,” Senator Bill Nelson of Florida said of the bill, according to USA Today.
The bill also covers the expansion of Pre Check availability, “reasonable” procedures for those improperly bringing pets onboard, and designating more nursing rooms for new moms.
With all that has happened in the travel industry over the past year, these changes are expected and highly welcomed.