WASHINGTON – Passengers have formally petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to suspend the codeshare agreement between American Airlines (AA) and Qatar Airways (QR).
The complaint alleges that Qatar Airways engaged in deceptive and unfair conduct following a dispute over seat reservation fees on codeshare tickets, and calls into question consumer protections in its partnership with the airline.
Background of the complaint
The incident occurred in May 2024 after the passenger booked a Qatar Airways ticket through American Airlines using a combination of AAdvantage miles and cash. According to the DOT’s filing, the tickets belonged to the complainant’s children, who were able to reserve their seats on Qatar Airways’ website at no additional charge.
The Doha-based airline confirmed this seat selection in writing and also issued a boarding pass before the flight.
However, on the day of the trip, Qatar Airways reportedly refused to let her use her confirmed seat unless she paid an additional fee of 150 euros ($156 at the time). The airline also refused to check the passenger’s baggage until the charges were resolved.
Qatar Airways and American Airlines codeshare violation
In the wake of this unusual experience, passengers have come to the conclusion that Qatar Airways’ conduct is in line with both international aviation standards and U.S. regulations that prohibit airlines from inflating post-purchase prices or engaging in deceptive practices. He claimed that there was a violation.
The plaintiffs cited the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) definition of a boarding pass, saying that an issued boarding pass entitles a traveler to board an airplane and sit in a pre-assigned seat.
“Qatar Airways’ refusal to honor boarding passes and the imposition of unexpected fees amount to unfair and deceptive trade practices that are harmful to consumers,” the complaint states.
Disputed Fees and Loss of Time
At the check-in counter, the passenger presented proof that the seat reservation was free of charge. However, Qatar Airways staff, including managers, insisted on payment.
Although the fee was eventually reduced to 51.95 euros ($54.09), the complainant had to process the payment at a separate point of contact, causing significant delays.
“Qatar Airways’ actions cost us a total of 43 minutes and resulted in an unfair payment,” the consumer claimed.
Request a DOT action
The complainants called on the DOT to take decisive action, including:
Suspending Qatar Airways’ code-sharing privileges with U.S. carriers. Revoke the exemption from American Airlines’ codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways.
The petition argues that these steps are necessary to ensure compliance with U.S. consumer protection laws and to prevent unfair practices in our partnerships with international airlines.
“The suspension of Qatar Airways’ codeshare privileges provides a strong incentive for both airlines to comply with U.S. regulations, while also prompting American Airlines to more diligently monitor its partnership,” the complaint concludes. are.
wider complications
The incident highlights potential pitfalls in codeshare agreements, where passengers often face difficulties due to policy differences between partner airlines.
This case highlights the need for clarity and accountability in codeshare operations, especially when consumer rights are at stake. At this time, the DOT has not commented on the complaint or announced an investigation.
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Source: Simple Flying
