Airline disputes in Florida are primarily governed by federal regulations, but specific legal avenues exist for state-level resolution of passenger and commercial issues.

Consumer and Passenger Disputes

For issues such as flight cancellations, lost baggage, or unfair boarding practices, passengers have several paths for recourse:

Airlines' Internal Resolution: Airlines are required to provide information on how to file complaints directly. Major carriers like American Airlines, Spirit, and JetBlue (all with significant Florida operations) often require passengers to seek internal resolution before escalating.

Federal Aviation Consumer Protection: Most consumer disputes are handled at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). You can file a formal complaint through their Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) if the airline fails to resolve the issue.

Florida Small Claims Court: For refund disputes or monetary claims under $8,000, Florida residents can file in small claims court. This is often used for ticket refund disputes with third-party sellers or airlines.

State Consumer Protection: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) can assist with general complaints against travel-related businesses, regardless of the industry.