Passenger Rights Advocate 'Shocked' by Delta's Cheap Flight Restrictions
Delta alerts basic economy customers that they face losing certain conveniences.
— -- A passenger rights advocate is bringing new attention to Delta Air Lines' airfare policy, arguing that the company has taken away basic conveniences, and is unfairly charging for what it says were once-included amenities.
“I was shocked by it; I was surprised,” said Paul Hudson, who’s also a member of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Rulemaking Advisory Committee. "We've gone beyond un-bundling, where extras like snacks and other things we would be charged extra for.
“We've gone beyond checking baggage and paying extra fees. Now, we are in the next phase to downgrading what everyone thought you would get if you bought your airline ticket."
Hudson told ABC News that Delta's “basic economy” fares, which impose certain restrictions, are listed on an “experience comparison” chart.
The chart, shown on the airline's website, alerts prospective passengers that if they opt for the cheapest ticket, there will be no refund, no seat assignment until after check-in, in addition to being the last to board and the last to access overhead bin space.
"I don't think it’s necessarily true that you'll be put into the last boarding groups," Hudson said. "I also think it’s deceptive to say that there's no refunds because it's under DOT [Department of Transportation] regulations that you have up to 24 hours. If you change your mind, you're entitled to a refund. It's the law.
"If the airline cancels, you have the right to a refund," he added. "If they overboard more tickets than they have seats, you'll get a refund. So I don't really understand some of these things that they're putting in there."
He said he believes Delta should remove the airfare-based restrictions.
Delta spokesman Anthony Black said Delta began selling “basic economy” fares in March 2013 and added the details about its airfare policies last October. The new attention resulted from Hudson’s recent post on his website, flyersright.org, about the policy, Black added.
But the airline is standing by its policy.
“Delta customers may have not seen these types of fares before, so it was important for us to provide them with the transparency to know exactly what they’re purchasing,” Black said. “That will, in part, ensure that our agent is running a sufficient boarding as we are aggressively committed to running the best possible operation in the industry"
