Department of Transportation Advisory to Protect Travelers from Airline Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a rulemaking to protect passengers stranded by airline disruptions. The proposed rule would require airlines to provide passengers with cash compensation for delays of three hours or more, as well as rebook them on the next available flight and cover meals, overnight lodging, and related transportation expenses when disruption is airline-caused. The DOT is also considering requiring airlines to pay passengers a flat fee of $200 for any delay or cancellation, regardless of the cause.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, while addressing the subject with the media, has said, “Americans know the importance of a robust airline industry, which is why this country—and U.S. taxpayers — kept U.S. airlines afloat when the COVID pandemic threatened their very existence.”

He further added, “Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic and air travel is breaking records, we must continue to advance passenger protections.

A number of recent airline incidents, including the huge Southwest Airlines meltdown that left thousands of customers stranded during the 2022 holiday season, attracted the rulemaking. The DOT has been looking into whether airlines are adhering to current regulations after receiving multiple complaints from travelers who were left stranded by planes.

The airline sector would be significantly impacted by the proposed rule. The new rules will require airlines to spend billions of dollars annually to comply. In order to cover the higher expenses, they would probably also need to increase the price of tickets. The DOT has not yet published a draft of the proposed rule, and the rulemaking process is still in its early phases. Nonetheless, the government has stated that it is dedicated to safeguarding travelers against flight interruptions.

By creating baseline requirements for what airlines must provide to stranded passengers during disruptions, the Department's proposal seeks to close these gaps. DOT has mainly focused on the issues and come up with some significant rules and regulations. All such requirements the department has developed are discussed below: 

• When a passenger's flight is canceled, their departure is delayed by three hours or more domestically or six hours or more internationally, or a delay causes them to miss a connection, the Department is thinking of requiring airlines to provide free rebooking. 
• DOT is thinking about mandating that airlines immediately compensate passengers in cash when their trip is disrupted by an airline. Compensation may range from $200 to $300 for domestic delays of at least three hours but less than six, $375 to $525 for delays of at least six hours but less than nine, and $750 to $775 for delays of nine hours or more under the tiered model that DOT is exploring.
• In addition to developing guidelines for what must be covered as part of each service, including how frequently it must be delivered during extended disruptions, DOT is thinking of forcing airlines to provide stranded passengers with meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation to and from lodging.

The DOT's rulemaking is being met with mixed reactions from the airline industry. Some airlines support the proposed rule, while others are opposed to it. The airlines that support the rule say that it would help to improve customer service and reduce the number of stranded passengers. The airlines that oppose the rule say that it would be too costly and would discourage people from flying.

The DOT is expected to release a draft of the proposed rule in the coming months. The agency will then hold a public comment period before finalizing the rule. It is expected that the final rule will be in effect by the end of 2024.

In the meantime, passengers can take steps to protect themselves from airline disruptions. These steps include booking flights early, purchasing travel insurance, and packing a carry-on bag with essentials. Passengers should also be aware of their rights under existing regulations:

• Passengers can contact the customer service executives anytime about the inconvenience caused. 
• They can book the fight ticket in advance to avoid the last-minute hassle and to grab the appropriate travel deal. 
• They must pack according to the baggage allowance to avoid getting into any trouble at the time of check-in. 
• When flights face cancellations or delays from the airline, travelers can contact the airline to get not just a refund but compensation as well. 
• The airline will let the passenger know how much time it will take to provide a refund and make sure that the refund is received within the given time period. 

The DOT's rulemaking is a significant step forward in protecting passengers from airline disruptions. The proposed rule would provide passengers with important new protections and would help to ensure that airlines are held accountable for their actions.

Considering the changes and requirements the department has made, some additional information should be included. All these additional points have been put into light further for a better understanding: 

• The DOT's rulemaking is based on the Biden-Harris Administration's enforceable flightrights.gov commitments and automatic refund rule.
• The DOT is also considering requiring airlines to provide passengers with a "bill of rights" that would outline their rights and protections.
• The rulemaking is expected to have a significant impact on the airline industry, but it is unclear how much it will cost airlines to comply.
• The DOT is expected to release a draft of the proposed rule in the coming months, and the final rule is expected to be in effect by the end of 2024.
• Passengers can take steps to protect themselves from airline disruptions, such as booking flights early and purchasing travel insurance.

Conclusion: In terms of safeguarding travelers against airline interruptions, the DOT's rulemaking is a major advancement. In addition to giving customers significant new protections, the proposed rule would help guarantee that airlines are held responsible for their acts. By acquiring travel insurance and making early reservations, passengers can further safeguard themselves against airline disruptions. Travelers must also be well informed about the flight journey before the flight is boarded. Getting accurate responses and required attention is important, and it can be done when proper knowledge has been acquired about the rights travelers hold.