[Laura VR]

The internet is full of dissatisfied customers being let down by airlines failing to comply with minimum standards (broken luggage, missing refunds, extra charges, etc). In Europe there mechanisms for placing legal claims against companies, which actually sometimes lead to compensations. Airlines still get along with many bad practices (see charging for cabin luggage regulations vs reality), but at least I feel the rights of the customer are more clear than in the US, and there are some mechanisms for claims, other than emails to the company customer service.



The questions: what are the options of customers in the US when an airline does not stand by their promises or take an action that is known as abusive? Other that contacting a law firm and paying costs, ... is there any best/recommended route, best course of action to initiate a legal procedure?



After living in the US for more than 12 years, I admit I do not know what are the customer rights for air travel or what to do about it other than nothing