New US Regulations Ensure Automatic Refunds for Airline Passengers

In a move to streamline refund processes and ensure consistency, new US Department of Transportation rules mandate airlines to provide automatic refunds for canceled or significantly altered flights. Passengers are entitled to refunds for various changes, including flight time adjustments and class downgrades. The regulations also necessitate transparent upfront communication of extra fees, aiming to save travelers over half a billion dollars annually. Airlines are required to promptly refund checked bag fees for lost luggage and reimburse passengers for undelivered services. The Airlines for America trade group assures compliance, emphasizing improved services at historic low prices. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asserts that the rules empower passengers, ensuring they receive owed refunds without hassle or delay, while fostering competition among airlines based on service quality rather than surprise fees.