Airlines are going to start giving out automatic refunds for delayed or canceled flights — here's who and what will be eligible

27.04.2024 - 13:59 / insider.com

Airlines are going to be required to provide automatic refunds for delayed or canceled flights under new Department of Transportation regulations, announced on Wednesday.

The regulations, which airlines must adapt to over the next six to 12 months, define a range of criteria that they say constitutes a "significant change" to a flight that would entitle a customer to a refund.

The new rules also entitle passengers to automatic refunds for delays to checked bags and for airlines' failure to provide extra services that customers have paid for.

The airlines will have to provide refunds that are automatic, meaning passengers don't have to request them, and prompt, which the DOT describes as within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.

Customers will be eligible for a refund in the case of the following if it means that they no longer wish to undertake the journey:

Passengers will be eligible for a refund of their checked bag fee if their bag is delayed and they file a mishandled baggage report, provided:

The checked bag isn't delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight arriving at the gate.

The checked bag isn't delivered within 15 hours of an international flight that's 12 hours long or less arriving at the gate.

The checked bag isn't delivered within 30 hours of an international flight that's more than 12 hours long arriving at the gate.

Passengers will be eligible for refunds of paid-for extra services that then aren't provided by the airline, including:

Advance seat selection.

Seat upgrades.

Transportation of checked or carry-on baggage.

Airport lounge access.

In-flight entertainment and WiFi.

In-flight meals, beverages, and snacks.

In-flight blankets and pillows.

Customers will be eligible for travel credits or vouchers in the following cases related to serious communicable diseases:

If they're restricted or prohibited from traveling by a governmental entity or are required to quarantine for a substantial portion of the trip.

If they're advised by a medical professional not to travel during a public health emergency to protect themselves from a serious communicable disease, in the case of the ticket being purchased before the public health emergency was declared.

If they're advised by a medical professional not to travel, irrespective of a public health emergency, because they have or are likely to have contracted a serious communicable disease.

The travel credits or vouchers must be valid for at least five years. Airlines have 12 months to meet the new DOT requirements.