An Idea That Could Take Off

Air travelers are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. And maybe they won’t have to if a bill by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) gets the attention it deserves.

Chances are, you’ve been there: bad service, rising fares, single-airline domination at hub airports, deliberately overbooked flights. We all know the problems. And take supposedly scarce frequent flier seats on the flights you prefer, luggage that travels to more exotic places than you do and overcrowded coach class.

McCain and Wyden’s proposed Airline Passengers Fairness Act would address those matters. Imagine knowing that a flight is fully booked before you buy a ticket, asking for and receiving the prices of all fares on a flight, and having liberal rights to cancel reservations.

Under provisions of the bill, airlines would have to explain why flights have been delayed, canceled or diverted. Violations would be treated as deceptive practices.

Is this overreaching legislation in these deregulated times? Maybe, but if it comes close to a floor vote, it might just prompt a few changes in those dubiously friendly skies. One regret: There’s nothing in there about in-flight food.