United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
DOT issues final rules for flight cancelation refunds
The US government has issued its final rules for flight delay and cancelation compensation.
Airlines are required to provide cash refunds within days for canceled flights and ‘significant’ delays, the Transportation Department said.
A significant delay has been defined as over three hours on domestic flights and at least six hours for international services.
Customers can opt for the cash refund even if the offer of reassigning to another flight or a travel credit is offered.
Customers will be able to accept either of the three options.
A similar rule also applies for refunds of checked-bag fees.
This kicks in if a bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or from 15 to 30 hours for international flights.
The Biden Administration took action over spiraling complaints over Covid-era refunds and compensation that took many months to process, and often not at all.
Trade group Airlines for America says the volume of complaints has progressively fallen sharply since 2020.
A4A says the major US airlines processed $43 billion in customer refunds between 2020 and 2023.
The Transportation Department has published separate rules on extra fees for airline customers to make pricing of ancillary products more transparent.
Related News Stories: Nium – TravelMole
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
BA pilot dies during layover
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship