When you travel the great blue skies, you have to realize that you have rights as a passenger, and that the airline companies don’t set the rules.  If you’ve either encountered an incident in the past, or you just want to prepare for the future, you want to know your rights as an airline passenger.

You’ll want to get a set of rules

When you purchase your airline ticket, you will want to make sure that you get your airline rules.  You can either get them online, or you can ask an agent.  When you purchase your tickets, you’re agreeing to their terms, so make sure that you follow them, or you can face either jail time, or some sort of legal action.

You can get compensated

If your flight is ever cancelled, or there are major delays, you can get some sort of compensation.  The key here is to remain cool, and not become a hot head.  If you start yelling, they will not do anything for you.  You will want to ask for some sort of compensation such as a meal voucher, or hotel stay.  If you ask, you may get it, but if you don’t, you may not get it at all.

If you get bumped from an airline

Even though you get a ticket, it doesn’t mean you will get a seat.  If you do get bumped from your flight, the airline will have to reward you with either a food voucher, and/or hotel stay.  If your flight can be re-scheduled within the next hour, they are not required to do so by law.  If it falls after the one hour deadline, you may be entitled to $400 worth of vouchers.

Know about your baggage rights as well

If your bags get lost, or you never find them again, the airlines will generally pay you for what your items were worth.  This is why it’s important that you know how to prevent lost luggage.  Take pictures, and write down everything you have in there.  It’s also good to avoid putting higher end items in there.

In the end, make sure you’re following the rules.  If you think the airlines have violated a rule, either contact the corporate headquarters or the airline company, or contact the FAA.