Airplane Passenger Rights: Basic Information on Air Transport Rights

Air transport is one of the most popular modes of travel around the world, providing fast and convenient delivery of passengers to any point on the planet. However, during the journey, various situations arise that can affect the comfort and rights of passengers. Therefore, knowing your rights on an airplane is an essential part of preparing for a flight.

The article you are reading now is intended for passengers who are interested in their rights on air transport. We will cover the main aspects related to passenger rights, including flight cancellations, delays, lost or damaged baggage, as well as problems that arise during boarding and disembarking.

What to do if your baggage is lost by the airline?

Based on the situation where you find that your baggage does not appear on the belt when everyone else has already picked up their items, do not panic. There are certain steps that will help you solve the problem and get your lost baggage back.

1. Try to remain calm and immediately go to the Lost & Found desk in the airport baggage hall. If there is no such desk, contact an airline representative or find information about the tracing procedure on their official website.
2. You will need to provide a baggage coupon (a piece of paper attached to the back of your ticket), a description of the contents of your baggage and a contact phone number. You will then be given a lost baggage report, which will contain a unique tracing request number.
3. The airline will submit the request to the international baggage tracing system, and usually the search results will be available within a day or two. If the baggage is found, the airline will inform you how and when you can get it.
4. It should be noted that the baggage search time can take up to two weeks or even more. If the baggage is not found within 21 days, you are entitled to compensation, the amount of which depends on the weight of the baggage.
5. In case you had valuables in your luggage, you can file a claim with the airline and try to prove the presence of these items with receipts and documents.
6. While waiting for your luggage to be found, you will also be given compensation for the purchase of essential items such as clothing and toiletries.
7. Be sure to leave a tag with your name and contact information on your luggage to make it easier to find if it is lost.

If your luggage was damaged during transportation, you should also contact the airline and file a claim. You may be compensated for the damage caused to your belongings. It is important to pack your luggage properly before traveling to minimize the risk of damage during transportation.

It is also recommended to insure your luggage before traveling. An insurance policy will provide you with additional protection and possible compensation in the event of loss, damage or delay of your luggage.

What to do if your flight is delayed?

Flight delays can be an unpleasant surprise when traveling, but there are steps you can take to help you cope and protect your rights as a passenger.

1. First, don’t panic and contact the airline at the airport to get information about the reason for the delay and the expected departure time.
2. If the flight delay exceeds 2 hours, find out about the compensation policy and services provided by the airline in such cases. You may be offered free calls, drinks and meals, and a hotel in case of a long delay.
3. If the delay causes you to miss your next flight, the airline must provide you with alternative transportation options to your destination.
4. If the flight delay is due to technical problems or other circumstances beyond your control, you can contact the airline with a claim for damages, such as expenses for excursions or rescheduled flights.
5. Be sure to keep all documents and receipts proving your expenses and losses during the delay to provide them to the airline when filing a claim.

Flight delays can be caused by a variety of reasons, including adverse weather conditions, technical issues, airspace restrictions, and other unforeseen circumstances. It is important to understand that in some cases, airlines are not responsible for delays that are caused by third-party factors.

Please note that compensation policies and terms of service may vary depending on the airline and flight route. It is recommended that you review the carrier's policies and understand your rights as a passenger before traveling.

Some countries have laws that govern the rights of passengers in the event of flight delays. These laws may provide passengers with additional rights and compensation if the delay exceeds a certain amount of time.

What to do if you are injured while traveling?

An accident may happen while traveling by train, bus or plane, and it is important to know how to deal with such a situation. If you are traveling with an official carrier, you will usually have life and health insurance. This insurance is mandatory and allows you to receive an insurance premium in the event of an injury on the road.

If you are injured while traveling by train, contact the conductor so that he can provide the necessary medical assistance. It is important to take the relevant documents that prove the fact of the accident, such as:

1. A certificate from the medical center at the railway station or at the airport.
2. A signal sheet about calling an ambulance, if such a call was necessary.
3. An accident report, which can be drawn up by the conductor at the scene of the incident during transportation.

These documents will help prove to the insurance company that the injury occurred during the trip and will facilitate the process of receiving insurance compensation.

In addition to the documents listed above, it is also recommended to keep a copy of your ticket or travel document, which indicates the date and time of travel. This can also serve as additional evidence that you were on the vehicle at the specified time, which is especially important if you received medical care not directly at the scene of the accident.

How to change your last name before buying a ticket?

Sometimes it is necessary to change your last name before buying a ticket, for example, in the case of a last name change due to marriage. But if you want to buy a ticket in advance, and the last name has not yet changed in the documents, the question of what to do arises.

When traveling by rail, it is enough to present a document with the old last name or a note in the passport about the planned change of last name. However, in the case of an air flight, you will need to reissue the ticket after changing the last name. Not all airlines allow such reissue of tickets, so it is better to check the rules of a particular airline before buying a ticket.

If the airline allows reissue of a ticket, you may have to pay an additional fee for this procedure. In this case, you should have a new passport and a document confirming the change of last name, for example, a marriage certificate. Some airlines also allow you to add a note about the name change to your booking to avoid unnecessary inconvenience when checking in for your flight. If you plan to change your name and then purchase a ticket, it is recommended that you check the rules and policies of the carrier in advance. Some airlines may require additional documents, such as a copy of a marriage certificate or a court order for the name change, to confirm the change of personal data. When planning such a trip, it is also recommended to contact the airline directly or contact a professional travel agent to clarify all requirements and possible additional costs.

Traveling without a passport: what do you need to know?

There is often a situation when an international trip is planned, but the passport is not ready yet, or it has expired. In this case, questions arise about the possibility of indicating the details of the old passport or Russian passport and replacing them later.

In some cases, you can issue an international ticket using a general civil passport. However, this depends on the policy of the airline and the country you plan to travel to. Some airlines may allow you to indicate the old passport number and allow you to replace it later, but others may require you to indicate the current data.

If the last name and first name in your new passport remain the same as in the old document, then the chances of a successful trip are higher. However, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of some countries, especially in Asia, where only absolutely accurate data in passenger documents is allowed.

If you still decide to use a general civil passport to arrange an international trip, be sure to contact the airline and find out about possible restrictions and requirements. It is also worth noting that some countries may require visas or other additional documents for citizens of certain countries, and this should be taken into account when planning your trip. It is also important to consider the possibility of delays in obtaining a new passport or in obtaining a visa, if required. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of the documents in advance and, if possible, complete all the necessary documents before purchasing a ticket for an international flight.

Safe Flights During Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, questions about flight safety become especially relevant. Pregnancy is a natural physiological state of the body, but there are still certain aspects to consider before traveling by plane.

Firstly, most airlines do not prohibit pregnant women from flying in the early stages of pregnancy (usually up to the 28th week). However, if you are in the later stages of pregnancy, you may need a medical clearance from a doctor confirming your ability to fly safely.

It is also important to consider that flying long distances or being in the air for a long time can increase the risk of thrombosis and edema in pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended to choose short flights and take breaks to soften the legs and prevent blood stasis.

When planning a trip by plane during pregnancy, it is recommended to consult with your doctor to get recommendations and advice that suit your individual health and pregnancy.

Modern airlines strive to provide maximum comfort and safety to pregnant passengers. Some of them offer special services and additional amenities for pregnant women, such as comfortable seats and back support pillows, as well as the ability to choose meals tailored to specific needs. Some airlines also recommend wearing compression stockings to reduce the risk of thrombosis.

Remember that every pregnancy is unique, and what is safe for one woman may not be advisable for another. Therefore, consult your doctor before traveling, especially if you have special needs or medical contraindications.

In case you have a complicated pregnancy or are in the later stages, it may be recommended to postpone your trip to a later date. In any case, your health and the health of your future baby should come first, and the decision to fly should be made in accordance with your doctor's recommendations.

How to Recover Lost Documents?

When you discover that important documents such as your passport, driver's license or bank cards have been lost, there are several steps you should take immediately to minimize potential consequences. It is important to differentiate between situations where documents have been stolen or simply lost somewhere, as this may affect subsequent actions, especially when contacting the police.

1. Block your bank cards: If you suspect that your cards have been stolen or lost, you should immediately contact your bank and block them via the bank’s hotline or using a mobile banking app. This will help prevent unauthorized transactions and protect your finances.
2. Contact the police: If your documents are stolen, it is important to immediately contact your local police station and file a report of the incident. In your report, provide all the details of the incident and provide information about the appearance of the stolen documents, if possible.
3. Get a notification slip (for Russia): In Russia, you may be given a notification slip about the acceptance of the incident report, which will serve as confirmation of your appeal to the police.
4. Prepare copies of documents (passport): If the loss occurred abroad, a color copy of your passport may be useful. It also makes sense to have two people on hand who can confirm your identity.
5. Restore documents: After contacting the police, you should restore the lost documents. Passport and other documents can be restored through the relevant authorities, for example, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
6. Temporary identity card: While waiting for your passport to be restored, you can get a temporary identity card that will allow you to move freely within the country.
7. Restoration of other documents: By contacting the Ministry of Internal Affairs to restore your Russian passport, you can begin to restore other documents that may have been lost or stolen along with it.

Remember that quick and accurate actions in case of document loss will help you avoid unpleasant situations and simplify the recovery process.

Where is a passport not required for travel to the CIS countries?

For many travelers, the CIS countries are attractive destinations offering a variety of cultural and natural attractions. If you are a Russian citizen planning to visit the Commonwealth of Independent States, you may be interested to know which of them do not require a passport for entry.

1. Belarus: Russian citizens can freely visit Belarus with their internal passport without the need to obtain a foreign passport.
2. Kazakhstan: Previously, Russian citizens were also able to visit Kazakhstan with their internal passport, but due to the epidemiological situation, you may need to check the current entry rules at the time of your trip.
3. Kyrgyzstan: Russian citizens only need their internal passport to enter Kyrgyzstan.
4. Armenia (over 14): Russian citizens over 14 years of age can visit Armenia without a foreign passport, using only their internal passport.

It is important to note that a domestic passport is required when moving across the border to the specified CIS countries. However, for flights or entry to other CIS countries, such as Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia, as well as for young Russian citizens planning to visit Armenia, a foreign passport will be required. When traveling within the CIS, remember to follow migration and safety rules so that your vacation is pleasant and hassle-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

1️⃣ What rights do I have as an air passenger?

As an air passenger, you have a number of rights, including the right to safety, the right to flight information and schedule changes, and the right to high standards of service.

2️⃣ What are my rights in the event of a flight delay or cancellation?

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you are entitled to compensation, food and beverages, and hotel accommodation (if necessary), depending on the length of the delay and the airline's policies.

3️⃣ Can I cancel my flight and get a refund for my ticket?

Yes, as a passenger, you have the right to cancel your flight and get a refund for your ticket in accordance with the rules of the fare for which the ticket was purchased. However, some fares may be non-refundable.