[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AVIATION CONSUMER RIGHT TO KNOW ACT

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Aviation 
Consumer Right To Know Act,'' legislation to give consumers access to 
important airline industry information.
  Twenty years after the deregulation of the airline industry a debate 
is raging about its benefits to consumers. Deregulation proponents tout 
the benefits of free market competition. However, to truly enjoy any of 
these benefits, consumers must have access to accurate information so 
they can make fully informed choices.
  Although there is much debate about the impact of deregulation, it is 
quite clear that it is almost impossible for consumers to gain full 
access to information about the airline industry. The dizzying array of 
airline prices change constantly and inexplicably. The full selection 
of fares remains a mystery to consumers. Even travel agents do not have 
access to all available fares.
  Many passengers are further bewildered when they book travel on one 
airline only to find upon boarding that they are actually flying on a 
totally different airline. Domestic code-sharing agreements, primarily 
between larger airlines and small regional airlines, allow one airline 
to book tickets on another without disclosing this information to 
consumers.
  To make booking travel easier, many consumers turn to travel agents 
for help. However, what most consumers do not know is that travel 
agents often get special incentives to book the majority of air travel 
sold through their agency on a particular airline. Travel agents are 
not currently required to disclose this information to customers. 
Travel agents provide an important service to the flying public by 
deciphering the baffling airline fare structure but consumers should 
also be aware that this information is not always unbiased.
  Another area of frustration to consumers is the lack of accurate, 
consistent and realistic information about frequent flyer programs. 
Despite the popularity of frequent flyer programs, consumers find that 
when they actually choose to redeem awards, the destinations and times 
they want are not available. Many travelers choose an airline because 
of its frequent flyer program and it is important to fully disclose 
this type of information.
  My bill would give consumers the information they need to make 
informed choices about what airlines to patronize. The Aviation 
Consumer Right To Know Act will, (1) require airlines and travel agents 
to disclose the actual air service carrier if it differs from the 
carrier issuing the ticket, (2) require travel agents to disclose any 
special incentives they get for booking travel on a particular airline, 
(3) require airlines to disclose all available fares, (4) require 
airlines to keep records on the likelihood of redeeming frequent flyer 
benefits for specific city-pairs.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this legislation.

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