The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced new rules that strengthen passenger rights and protection. These rules require airlines to provide refunds for canceled flights, significant itinerary changes, and delayed or lost baggage. The new regulations aim to streamline the compensation process, ensuring that passengers receive their money back promptly and without hassle.
Effective within the next 6 to 12 months, these revised regulations provide passengers with the following entitlements:
Flight Cancellations:
– Full refunds in cash or the original form of payment for canceled flights, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
Significant Itinerary Changes:
– Full refunds for itinerary changes that result in departure or arrival time changes of three hours or more on domestic flights and six hours or more on international flights.
– Refunds are also available for changes in departure or arrival airport, added connections, downgrades to a lower class, or alternative flight or airport arrangements that are less suitable for passengers with disabilities.
Delayed or Lost Baggage:
– Refunds for checked baggage fees if baggage delivery is significantly delayed.
– Timeframes for delayed baggage compensation are 12 hours for domestic flights and 15-30 hours for international flights, depending on the flight length.
Other Expenses:
– Refunds for additional services purchased on board, such as Wi-Fi, seat assignments, or inflight entertainment, if the airline fails to deliver the promised service.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of these regulations in upholding passenger rights, stating, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling.”
The DOT has also issued a separate rule mandating airlines and ticket agents to disclose upfront charges for checked and carry-on baggage, as well as cancellation or change fees. These fees must be clearly displayed on airline websites when customers first view pricing and schedules. Additionally, airlines are required to inform passengers that they are entitled to a guaranteed seat without additional charges.
These new regulations are expected to save consumers over $500 million annually and provide greater transparency and accountability in the airline industry.
