The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a proposal aimed at providing stronger protections for passengers affected by airline-caused disruptions, such as cancellations or long delays.
The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on a set of new regulations that would require airlines to compensate passengers for delays caused by factors within their control, such as mechanical issues or system failures. If the proposal goes forward, passengers could be entitled to compensation, rebooking, meals, accommodation, and transportation services.
The proposed changes are in response to increasing concerns from consumers about the financial and emotional toll of flight disruptions. A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted that cancellations between July 2021 and April 2022 affected over 15 million passengers, with delays impacting more than 116 million.
The DOT has found that more than 60% of long domestic delays in 2022 and 2023 were caused by issues within the control of airlines. This has led to rising frustrations, as passengers often struggle to navigate inconsistent and unclear compensation policies from airlines.
Under the new proposal, airlines would be required to automatically pay passengers cash compensation for disruptions caused by the airline. The compensation would be tiered, with passengers receiving at least $200 for delays of three to six hours, and up to $775 for delays of nine hours or more.
The DOT also proposes that airlines offer free rebooking on the next available flight, and provide meals, lodging, and transportation expenses for affected passengers. The rule would address existing gaps in the system, where airlines often do not provide upfront services or compensation, leaving passengers to navigate these challenges on their own.
“The American people supported US airlines during the pandemic, and now it is time for airlines to step up and support passengers during disruptions,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“With air travel breaking records, we must continue to advance protections that ensure passengers are not left to bear the cost of airline-caused disruptions.”
Currently, some US airlines voluntarily provide compensation, such as rebooking and meal coverage, but this varies across carriers.
While the ten largest US airlines have made commitments to rebook passengers and provide meals during disruptions, the DOT’s proposal would make these services mandatory and require clear, consistent standards. Passengers would no longer have to request compensation at the airport, and airlines would be obligated to notify them about their rights.
However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which argues that similar compensation schemes in Europe and Canada have not reduced delays and instead have resulted in increased operational costs for airlines, which are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher fares.
IATA has called on the US government to focus on addressing the root causes of delays, such as air traffic control issues and inadequate staffing, rather than introducing regulations that penalise airlines.
The public has been invited to comment on the proposal, and the DOT will review the feedback before making any final decisions.
