Senate passes FAA bill with new consumer protections

Airplane flies in front of U.S. Capitol en route to Reagan National — The bill will also up the number of air traffic controllers and aircraft safety inspectors

(Image credit: Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images)

What happened

The Senate voted 88-4 on Thursday to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration and enact a raft of measures aimed at improving air safety and customer service. Senators also approved a one-week extension of FAA authorization, which expires Friday night. The House passed the weeklong extension on Wednesday, before leaving for the weekend.

Who said what

The bill "gives the FAA the stability it needs to fulfill its primary mission — advancing aviation safety — while also making travel more convenient and accessible," said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

The bipartisan legislation increases the number of air traffic controllers and aircraft safety inspectors, requires airlines to refund customers for flight delays and prohibits them from charging extra to seat families together.

What next?

The FAA package is "one of the few remaining bills considered a must-pass item this year," The New York Times said. If the House doesn't pass it by May 17, the FAA will have to furlough about 3,600 workers.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.