New Resource Reveals Your Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flights

In a summer marked by widespread travel disruptions, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a new website to equip travelers with essential information regarding their entitlements for flight cancellations and delays.

On September 1, the DOT introduced an interactive dashboard on its Aviation Consumer Protection website, just before the traditionally hectic Labor Day weekend.

This tool is designed to help travelers access clear, comparative details about the types of refunds or compensation available from their airline in the event of a cancellation or delay, as outlined in a letter from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to the ten largest U.S. airlines in mid-August. The dashboard reviews the policies of major domestic airlines on aspects like which airlines provide meals for delays exceeding three hours and which will rebook flights on the same or alternate airlines at no extra cost. It specifically addresses what it terms 'controllable' cancellations or delays—those resulting from mechanical failures, staffing shortages, or delays in cleaning, fueling, or baggage handling. Weather-related or security-related disruptions are excluded from this category.

The dashboard is part of a broader initiative led by Buttigieg, who has openly urged major carriers to enhance service and transparency following a summer plagued by numerous cancellations and delays.

Buttigieg described the level of disruption faced by Americans this summer as 'unacceptable.' He referenced data from the first half of 2022, revealing that 24 percent of flights departing from the U.S. were delayed and an additional 3.2 percent were canceled. According to Buttigieg, the new tool will empower travelers to 'easily grasp their rights, compare airline practices, and make informed choices.'

Existing DOT regulations mandate that domestic airlines must issue refunds for canceled flights; however, understanding what passengers are entitled to for delayed flights has often been confusing, despite such information being a federally mandated component of airlines' Customer Service Plans.

'Passengers facing cancellations and delays deserve straightforward and transparent information about the services your airline will provide to alleviate the costs and inconveniences stemming from these disruptions,' Buttigieg emphasized.

The DOT insists that, at the very least, airlines should offer meal vouchers for delays exceeding three hours and accommodations for passengers needing to stay overnight at an airport due to issues within the airline’s control.

'Regardless of the reasons behind the delays or cancellations, the Department expects airlines to deliver prompt and effective customer service during and after flight disruptions,' Buttigieg stated.

This reporting includes contributions from The Associated Press.