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Trump is set to sign the bill on Friday that will, among other
measures, bar airlines from removing seated passengers and
require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to write new
rules to allow commercial drones to deliver packages.
The U.S. Senate in a 93 to 6 vote on Wednesday approved a
1,200-page bill overseeing the FAA that includes some new
airline passenger protections. For instance, the FAA must set
minimum dimensions for passenger seats, including legroom and
width "necessary for the safety of passengers".
The bill also gives the Departments of Justice and Homeland
Security new authority to disable or destroy drones if they pose
a threat to government facilities. The Trump administration had
said it did not have legal authority to address such threats.
The airline industry scored a significant win after Congress
dropped plans to mandate "reasonable and proportional" baggage
and change fees after heavy lobbying by United Airlines and
American Airlines Group Inc.
The bill also requires airlines to refund passengers for
services they paid for but did not receive. It will enshrine in
law a prohibition on passengers making mobile phone calls while
in flight or using e-cigarettes.
It also requires airlines to allow passengers to check strollers
for small children and gives the FAA authority to require
airlines to allow pregnant passengers to board earlier.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Susan Thomas)
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