Airlines: New rules keep passengers in seats

WASHINGTON -- Some airlines have been telling passengers today that they need to stay in their seats for the last hour of the flight.

People arriving from overseas say they've been given that instruction. Air Canada says the new rules from the Transportation Security Administration limit activities by passengers and crew in U.S. airspace. The airline says the passengers must remain seated during the final hour, and can't have any items in their laps. They also can't have access to carryon baggage.

And on domestic flights, flight attendants are informing passengers of similar rules.

It's part of the response to yesterday's apparent bombing attempt on a Northwest Airlines plane near Detroit.

According to a security official, the Transportation Security Administration issued a security directive for flights from overseas bound for the United States. The official says parents traveling internationally could see increased security screening at gates and when they check their bags, as well as stricter rules on board the planes.

Air Canada says it's limiting passengers to one carryon bag in response to a request from the U.S. and Canadian governments.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)