Airlines for America and the airlines industry as a whole was dealt a surprising advocacy defeat recently when federal lawmakers approved new rules preventing airlines from charging fees for certain seating arrangements and requiring quick refunds for lost luggage, the Washington Post reported.

The new rules are part of a compromise between House and Senate lawmakers that would fund the Federal Aviation Administration through September 2017. Among the provisions in the deal is language preventing airlines from charging extra to have children under age 13 seated near their parents or other adult family members. Another provision requires baggage fee refunds when luggage is lost for more than 12 hours.

Consumer advocates were surprised the proposed changes made it into the compromise, the newspaper reported. Also surprised were airline industry advocates who lobbied against the provisions.

"We believe that provisions designed to re-regulate airline pricing and services are bad for airline customers, employees, the communities we serve and our overall U.S. economy," A4A spokeswoman Jean Medina told the Post.

The newspaper didn't say how the new rules managed to get into the budget compromise, but groups pushing for the changes were clearly pleased they did.

"This is an amazing win for consumers," said Charles Leocha, president of Travelers United, a D.C. nonprofit organization that advocates for airline passengers. "It is not everything we wanted, but it is far more than consumers would have gotten with a straight extension." http://wapo.st/29JIfyc

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Bill would prevent checkoff dollars from going to lobbying groups
• Online lenders association seeking out industry's bad actors
• Music group to fund diversity initiatives after CEO booted for alleged racial remarks
• Organic association facing revolt on GMO labeling bill
• Veterinarian association to vote on whether top staff should be vets