Per a new report, the Senate will be hammering out whether airlines will be federally required to offer cash compensation for flight delays.
According to Reuters, 15 Democratic senators introduced a proposal in early December that would require United States airlines to provide customers with a $300 minimum for delays over three hours. The proposal also reportedly calls for carriers to pay customers $600, minimum, for delays of 6 hours or more.
“Airlines have to be accountable when they cost the American people money and travelers are left stranded,” said Democratic Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who advocates for the new legislation. “We’re working to make sure that passengers are protected so that cancellations and delays don’t cost them money out of their own pockets.”
Last month, the Trump administration withdrew a Biden-era proposal that required airlines to provide cash compensation for delays that the carriers were responsible for.
Notably, in several other parts of the world, financial compensation for passengers after airline delays is guaranteed. In the European Union, eligible flyers are entitled to anywhere from €250 to €600 depending on the circumstances of their flight delay. Moreover, in Canada, depending on an airline’s size and the length of someone’s flight delay, a traveler could receive anywhere from $125 to $1,000.
What Can Travelers Claim Under The DOT’s Current Flight Delay Refund Rules?
The United States’ Department of Transportation (DOT) currently says “airlines are required to provide a prompt refund to a ticketed passenger, including those with non-refundable tickets, should the passenger choose not to accept the alternative offered, such as rebooking on another flight.” Per the source, that rule applies “if an airline cancels a passenger’s flight or makes a significant change (including delays) in the flight, regardless of the reason.”
The DOT also makes it clear that “each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed or canceled passengers.” On the department’s website, travelers can find insight into flight delay refund rules for the U.S.’ top 10 carriers. Knowing one’s refund rights is critical, especially during peak travel times like the holiday season.
Being guaranteed a refund or a certain financial compensation minimum are not the same thing. That said, the U.S. federalizing compensation minimums for its airlines after flight delays could mean simpler, more at-ease traveling, even in the face of inconvenience.
