This begins the first of our continuing series…dissection of a Contract of Carriage and general rules. We previously reviewed Jetblue’s Contract after its Bill of Rights amendment. We will revisit that in a later installment. Today we tackle ExpressJet. Their contract of carriage can be found here. Here are some interesting notes.
- The change fee for tickets is usually $50 plus any difference in fare. Cancellation for credit is permitted. They do sell unrestricted tickets.
- A reservation for space is valid when the availability and allocation is confirmed by ExpressJet or an authorized agent and payment is made. – This means that ExpressJet will honor any properly issued ticket, even if a fare is filed in error.
- ExpressJet will refund a telephone reservation within 24 hours of purchase. – We wonder why only telephone reservations. What about internet and travel agency ones.
- Once a passenger obtains a ticket indicating confirmed space, the reservation is confirmed even if Expressjet has no record of it.
- ExpressJet wil disclose at time of reservation and prior to purchase any information available regarding a change of aircrat on a single flight with the same flight number.
- Upon request, they will disclose general information regarding aircraft configuration, including size and pitch for the aircraft type on which the passenger is booked.
- Expressjet will make available through its website or otherwise an annual report on loyalty program redemption, rules, and restrictions – The Loyalty program redemptions are interesting, as such measures are being pushed for airlines.
- Expressjet will disclose on request whether or not a flight is overbooked – Something most airlines fail to do.
- Expressjet reserves the right to cancel all reservations for continuing or return space in the event a passenger fails to occupy space on a flight.
- Domestic Check-In closes at 30 minutes before departure, International at 60 minutes. Passengers failing to present themselves at the gate 30 minutes before an international or 15 before a domestic flight may risk losing their seats.
- Tickets are not transferable unless stated on the ticket at time of issue.
- Upon request, or if determined necessary by ExpressJet, a Passenger will be permitted to the exclusive use of two seats subject to the payment of two applicable fares. A ticket shall be issued for each and the normal baggage allowance will apply to each ticket. – Essentially…you can opt or they can force you to buy an extra seat.
- Any attempt to violate roundtrip or other requirements is expressly prohibited by ExpressJet…although we hardly blame them. What is the point of selling roundtrip fares if people get around them by throwing away part of their ticket.
- ExpressJet will waive rules and fare differences in the event of death in the midst of travel requiring an immediate family member to return early.
- ExpressJet will only accept unaccompanied minors between the ages of 8 and 14 and under certain restrictions. The charge is $50 on nonstop flights only. ExpressJet will not accept unaccompanied minors on through or connecting service.
- Oxygen is not provided by ExpressJet. Passengers may provide oxygen in approved containers or concentrators. FAA approved personal oxygen concentrators are accepted at no charge with advance notification, a written doctor’s statement, and amply charged batteries to power the concentrator for flight time plus three hours. They accept five concentrator brands: Airsep Lifestyle, Inogent One, Airsep Freestyle, Sequal Eclipse, and Respironics Evergo.
- ExpressJet accepts service animals in the cabin.
- ExpressJet notes in its Contract of Carriage it may provide a ground transfer service between the airport and city centers…which seems like an interesting way to serve more remote airports at a savings.
- ExpressJet’s free baggage allowance is two pieces of luggage not to exceed 50 pounds and a maximum dimension of 62 inches(Length plus Width plus Height). Sports or musical equipment may be checked in lieu of a piece of baggage and may be a larger size. Military and Secret Service are given exemptions for additional baggage. Carry-on dimensions are 51 inches(L+W+H), to not exceed 40 pounds. Overhead bins will not accept anything larger than 18x16x10. Anything else will be checked at the gate.
- Nothing large than 80 inches(L+W+H), 70 pounds will be transported. A third or fourth piece, excess weight, or excess size will incur a $50 charge. A bag both excess in weight and size will be charged $100.
- ExpressJet will transport pets, subject to restrictions.
- ExpressJet’s Rule 20 deals with Flight Delays/Cancellations/Etc. It, like most carriers, does not accept responsibility in the event of a Force Majeure event. It does however list the restrictions under which it will provide accomodation, meals, and telephone calls. It will provide these things if the problem is due to a schedule irregularity, defined as a delay in departure or arrival causing a misconnect, flight or service cancellation, removal of a scheduled stop, substitution of aircraft type, schedule changes that require rerouting passengers at departure time of original flight, or cancellation of a reservation under certain reasons. So…if you want something…just review this section then advise them that you want them to provide it under their obligations set out in that rule. Have a copy. It’ll scare the heck out of them that someone actually bothered to read the thing.
- ExpressJet will ensure all written complaints by passengers receive a response within sixty days. Email them at customerrelations@expressjet.com.
For more information on Expressjet, check out their website at www.xjet.com.