Politics on the Hudson

Just in time for the holiday travel rush, a federal judge today is hearing the Air Transport Association’s appeal of a new state law “requiring airlines to give passengers food, water, clean toilets and fresh air when they’re delayed on planes for more than three hours,” the AP reports:

“The law was enacted after a series of delays last winter at John F. Kennedy International Airport left some passengers stranded for more than 10 hours with no food or water, overflowing toilets and no ventilation.

“The Air Transport Association wants to stop the law from taking effect on Jan. 1, arguing that states aren’t allowed to regulate airlines, which are overseen by the federal government.

“U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn in Albany is hearing the arguments from the airline industry group and the state attorney general’s office this morning.”