If you are taking any flights to, from, or within the United States, you should know about the new bill related to passenger rights for air travel and what it means for your wallet.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill, signed into law by President Biden in May 2024, addresses many provisions related to airline operations in the U.S.

There is a special section dedicated to passenger rights, which encompasses common traveling issues such as flight cancellations and delays, refunds, and other types of compensation.

Here is an overview of the key points.

Automatic Refunds for Disrupted Flights

Airlines will be required to provide a full refund to passengers in case of:

• Canceled flights: This applies to any flight cancellation initiated by the airline, regardless of the reason.

• Significantly delayed flights: The general rule is more than three hours delay for domestic flights and beyond six hours for international flights.

• Significantly changed flights: Unexpected changes such as departures or arrivals from different airports, more connections, or downgrades.

Refunds for cancellations or significant changes apply to scheduled flights to, from, or within the United States.

What it means for travelers

As a passenger, you no longer need to spend time and effort arguing with the airline for a refund if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed.

This empowers you to choose your preferred course of action, whether it’s getting a cash refund, vouchers, or credits. If the refund is in the form of airline credits or vouchers, you will have up to five years to use it.

Cons

The act doesn’t specify if the airline is obligated to offer compensation beyond a full refund for the ticket (e.g., covering meals or accommodation due to delays).

Even if you receive a full refund, it may not be the best solution in case of flight cancellation. If you bought your ticket on sale or at a great discount, it may not be available anymore, so you would be spending more out of pocket.

Refunds can take up to seven business days for credit card payments, and 20 calendar days for other types of payments.

Additional Passenger Protections

While the automatic refund is a major benefit, the FAA Reauthorization Act also emphasizes other passenger protections:

• Increased Transparency: Airlines are required to clearly disclose extra fees (e.g., baggage fees, seat selection fees) at the beginning of the booking process to avoid surprise charges.

• Family Seating: Families traveling with children won’t have to pay extra fees to sit together.

• Accessibility: Travelers with disabilities can request preferred seats to accommodate their needs.

• Baggage: Passengers dealing with delayed or lost baggage will be entitled to a cash refund. This generally applies to baggage delays of more than 12 hours for domestic flights or between 15 and 30 hours for international flights.

• Extra Amenities: Fees paid for extra amenities such as Wi-Fi, in-flight entertainment, or seat selection will be refunded if passengers do not receive the service.

• Illness: Consumers experiencing a serious communicable disease and who are medically advised not to travel are entitled to receive transferable vouchers or credits. This applies to passengers with non-refundable tickets.

• Upfront Fees: Airlines and ticket agents are required to disclose all fees and extra charges to consumers before selling tickets.

Some Changes Already Seen

These measures aim to create a fairer and more transparent air travel experience for passengers in the United States. Hopefully, these measures will make air travel less stressful for passengers, as long as airlines comply.

We have already seen major changes in low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit, which have eliminated some of their fees in the most restricted economy class.

Another airline, JetBlue, recently announced that it will bring back the benefit of a free carry-on in economy light.

DOT Customer Service Dashboard

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) also introduced the Airline Customer Service Dashboard, which displays information about the policies implemented by participating carriers to improve their service to passengers.

So far, there are 10 U.S.-based airlines included in the dashboard: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

The dashboard is very convenient for comparing airline policies regarding ticket refunds, vouchers, or services provided in the case of overnight cancellations. However, you should always check the airline’s website for up-to-date information.

Travel Tip: If you have not received a refund to which you are entitled, you can fill out the complaint form on the DOT website.

In Summary

The new FAA passenger rights bill introduces significant changes aimed at protecting air travelers in the United States.

With mandatory refunds for disrupted flights, increased transparency in fees, protections for families and disabled travelers, and other measures, the bill seeks to enhance the overall travel experience.

As these changes take effect, passengers can look forward to a more transparent and equitable air travel environment.

Always stay informed by checking the Airline Customer Service Dashboard and individual airline websites for the latest updates and policies.