The Department of Transportation (DOT) has finalized rules that require airlines to promptly refund passengers if flights are canceled, significantly delayed, or have substantial changes to the itinerary. Airlines must offer refunds in cash or in the original form of payment, and passengers can also opt for travel credit or alternative travel arrangements.
The Department of Transportation has implemented stringent new regulations that mandate airlines to provide cash refunds to passengers affected by flight cancellations, significant itinerary alterations, or delayed baggage delivery. The revised rules aim to simplify compensation procedures, eliminating the need for voucher acceptances and complex requests. Effective within the next 6 to 12 months, these regulations guarantee passengers the following entitlements:
– Full refunds for canceled flights or significant itinerary changes (exceeding 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally)
– Refunds for checked baggage fees if delivery is delayed beyond specified timeframes (12 hours for domestic flights, 15-30 hours for international flights)
– Reimbursement for additional services purchased on board (e.g., Wi-Fi, seat assignments, inflight entertainment) if not provided
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced new rules that will require airlines to provide refunds to passengers in cases of flight cancellations, significant itinerary changes, and delayed or lost baggage. The rules aim to strengthen passenger rights and ensure they are fairly compensated when airlines fail to meet their obligations.
A new Department of Transportation rule requires airlines to provide full refunds for canceled, delayed, or significantly changed flights. This has led to a decline in airline stock prices, with United Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta, and Southwest Airlines all experiencing losses. The rule also applies to checked bag fees if baggage is delayed by more than 12 hours for domestic flights or 15-30 hours for international flights. Additionally, airlines are now required to clearly disclose “junk fees” for baggage, reservation changes, and discounts that only apply to partial flights.
The Biden administration has implemented new regulations mandating instant refunds for canceled flights, transparency in airline fees, and a crackdown on hidden charges. These measures are part of the administration’s broader effort to combat corporate rip-offs and protect consumers.
French air traffic controllers are set to strike on Thursday, April 25, potentially causing major disruptions to flights to and from France. The strike action is expected to result in the cancellation of 75% of flights at Paris Orly Airport, 66% of flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and significant reductions at other major airports in France. Flights crossing French airspace could also be affected, leading to potential delays and cancellations across Europe. British tourists traveling to and from France are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. The strike is part of a larger industrial action by French air traffic controllers over planned restructuring of air navigation services, demands for a pay raise, and requests for additional staffing.
Emirates Airline has apologized for the chaos at Dubai International Airport, where flooding has stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers. The airline has canceled 200,000 flights and delayed many more. Emirates president Sir Tim Clark has acknowledged the frustration of passengers and said the airline’s response has been far from perfect. The airline has suspended check-in at its hub and for passengers booked to fly in from points around the world. Many travelers are still stuck thousands of miles from home. Emirates is working to clear the backlog of rebooked passengers and bags, and has asked for customers’ patience and understanding.
