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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Political cartoons for November 1Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include insurance premiums, early voting in NYC, and more
-
Salted caramel and chocolate tart recipeThe Week Recommends Delicious dessert can be made with any biscuits you fancy
-
Meet Ireland’s new socialist presidentIn the Spotlight Landslide victory of former barrister and ‘outsider’ Catherine Connolly could ‘mark a turning point’ in anti-establishment politics
-
Are car headlights too bright?The Explainer 82% of UK drivers concerned about being ‘dazzled’ as LED bulbs become more common
-
Is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses realistic?Talking Points A transit innovation or a costly mistake
-
Toxic fumes on airplanes might be making you sickUnder the Radar Aircraft manufacturers have allegedly downplayed the risks
-
Air India crash highlights a new problem for Boeing: the DreamlinerIn the Spotlight The 787 had never been in a fatal crash before
-
Hundreds die in Air India crash with 1 survivorSpeed Read The London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed soon after takeoff
-
New York helicopter crash kills family, pilotspeed read A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing a family of Spanish tourists
-
Southwest joins rival airlines on paid baggageSpeed Read The company is ending its longtime free-luggage policy
-
US jet fuel tanker, cargo ship collide off UK coastSpeed Read A cargo vessel carrying a toxic chemical collides with a US-military chartered oil tanker in the North Sea
