There’s some great news for travelers this week, as the Department of Transportation released new regulations for airlines! Basically, it’s going to get a lot easier to get a refund if your flight is significantly delayed or canceled! And here in Atlanta, with the busiest airport in the world, this is amazing news!
What are the new rules?
The rule that stands out the most is about flight refunds. In a statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), “Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered.”
What does it mean for a flight to be “significantly changed”?
The DOT defines “significantly changed” for the first time as: “Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.”
In the statement from the DOT, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling… Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”
How will passengers be refunded?
The refund should be with “cash or original form of payment.” In the DOT statement, they specify, “Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.”
And even more good news, the DOT states that: “Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.”
Hopefully this will make air travel a little smoother and easier for all passengers! And we know here in Atlanta just how important air travel is! We do have the best airport in North America, after all!