The U.S. Transportation Department is proposing a new rule requiring airlines to offer refunds for major changes to passenger flight schedules and itineraries. The regulation announced on August 3, 2022, would require airlines to issue refunds if their departure or arrival time changes by three hours or more for a domestic flight and six hours or more for an international flight. Additionally, refunds would be issued if an airline changes a traveler’s departure or arrival airport, adds stops in their itinerary or creates what the U.S. Transportation Department is calling “a significant downgrade” in the travel experience by switching to a different aircraft.
Several reasons were cited for the proposal, but the largest call for action comes after the recent onslaught of complaints filed by passengers after their flights were canceled or rescheduled. The issue is also impacting travelers who were avoiding travel during the early months of the pandemic and were unable to get a refund as airlines prefer to hand out vouchers instead.
“When Americans buy an airline ticket, they should get to their destination safely, reliably and affordably,” said Pete Buttigieg, U.S. secretary of transportation. “This new proposed rule would protect the rights of travelers and help ensure they get the timely refunds they deserve from airlines.”
The U.S. Transportation Department is opening the proposal to public comments for 90 days before making any further decisions.
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