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S 213 111th Congress Senate

Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009

Official title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure air passengers have access to necessary services while on a grounded air carrier, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 22, 2010 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAviation and airportsConsumer affairsDepartment of Transportation
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 12, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 12, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S314-315)
Jan 12, 2009
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 12, 2009

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Requires each air carrier and airport operator to submit for approval by the Secretary of Transportation a proposed contingency plan meeting minimum standards established by the Secretary.

Requires an air carrier to provide passengers on a departure- or arrival-delayed grounded aircraft with: (1) adequate food, water, restrooms, ventilation, and medical services; as well as (2) a time frame under which passengers may deplane a delayed aircraft after three hours, except in specified circumstances.

Requires an airport operator plan to describe: (1) how passengers will be deplaned following a long tarmac delay; and (2) how facilities will be shared and gates made available to aircraft that experience such delays.

Authorizes the Secretary to assess a civil penalty against air carriers and airport operators that fail to submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to a contingency plan. Requires public access to such plans.

Directs the Secretary to establish a consumer hotline telephone number for air passenger complaints.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 624 Identical bill Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 6
D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · Feb 22, 2010
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · Oct 5, 2009
 D
Shaheen, Jeanne
New Hampshire · Sep 30, 2009
 D
Klobuchar, Amy
Minnesota · Sep 21, 2009
 D
Cantwell, Maria
Washington · Jul 7, 2009
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Jan 27, 2009
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 213: Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-213/
MLA
"S. 213: Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-213/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 213, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-213/.
Markdown link
[S. 213: Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-213/)
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