New York passes nation’s first ‘passenger rights’ legislation

New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer last week signed into law a bill that would guarantee some basic rights for airline passengers stranded aboard planes waiting on the ground, but it could face a legal challenge from the airline industry. Some consumer groups are lobbying for federal legislation that would give passengers the right to leave the plane after three hours on the ground. The New York law – which is due to take effect in January 2008 -- doesn’t go that far, but it does require airlines to make sure passengers are supplied with water, food, clean bathrooms and fresh air. Airlines could face fines of up to $1,000 per passenger for non-compliance, and the law requires them to give passengers a phone number where they can register complaints. The bill also creates a consumer advocate’s office for airline passengers within the state government. It would apply to all flights operating out of airports in New York State. However, the airline industry may challenge the law on the grounds that states can’t pass laws regulating air transportation that conflict with existing federal policies.