The Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken a significant step towards protecting airline passengers’ rights by announcing new rules that require airlines to automatically give cash refunds to passengers for canceled and significantly delayed flights. Delays of more than three hours for domestic flights and more than six hours for international flights will be covered under these rules.
According to the new regulations, refunds must be issued within seven days and in cash unless the passenger chooses an alternative form of payment. Airlines will no longer be able to issue refunds in the form of vouchers or credits when cash is owed to passengers. Additionally, passengers will also receive refunds for extra services paid for but not provided.
The DOT is also working on rules related to family seating fees, rights for wheelchair-traveling passengers, and compensation for delayed or canceled flights to further protect the rights of airline passengers.
In another news, Southwest Airlines has been slapped with a record $140 million fine for operational issues during the 2022 holiday season. This fine serves as a warning to airlines to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
However, Airlines for America, a trade association representing major U.S. airlines, stated that its members already offer a range of refundable options and have issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020-2023. This shows that the airline industry is taking steps to ensure customer satisfaction and compliance with regulations.
Overall, these new rules and penalties show that the DOT is committed to protecting the rights of airline passengers and ensuring that airlines are held accountable for their actions. Stay tuned to Jala News for more updates on this developing story.
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