Those frustrating flight delays and cancellations could soon come with some monetary reprieve.
The Biden Administration plans to propose a rule requiring airlines to compensate passengers for canceled flights or significant delays, according to the White House.
DON’T MISS: American Airlines Pilots Vote to Authorize Strike
President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will announce the proposal on Monday at the White House with the aim to compensate passengers who experience flight disruptions that are caused by circumstances under the control of the airlines.
Airlines in the United States are only required to refund their passengers in the event of a major flight disruption, so this rule would be the first that would require airlines to give additional money to passengers.
“When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” Buttigieg said in a statement. “This rule would, for the first time in U.S. history, propose to require airlines to compensate passengers and cover expenses such as meals, hotels, and rebooking in cases where the airline has caused a cancellation or significant delay.”
The specifics of the proposal are still unclear so passengers shouldn’t expect any changes before the upcoming summer travel season. There’s also expected to be significant pushback from the airlines and potentially members of the Republican party who have opposed stricter airline regulations in the wake of the Southwest holiday fiasco.
Airlines in the European Union are required to compensate passengers for flight cancellations that can reach up to $662 depending on the length of travel. This has contributed to reduced delays, according to a study by the Transportation Department.
