Transportation Dept. Proposes New Rule to Ease Air Travel Chaos for Passengers

In June, United Airlines notified Ms. Jones that her layover at Newark Liberty International Airport, for a September flight from Austin to Dublin, had changed. When she looked at her itinerary, she discovered that the aircraft on the Newark-to-Dublin leg had also been changed and no longer contained premium economy seats, an upgrade she had paid extra for in order to sit near fewer people. When she tried to get a refund in order to purchase a seat on another airline, she said the airline told her she could only receive a credit. That policy would change if the new rule went forward.

“I think it’s absolutely necessary,” she said of the proposed rule clarifying when airlines would be required to issue refunds.

The Department of Transportation proposal also requires airlines that received significant federal assistance early in the pandemic, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and United, to issue full refunds when passengers cannot fly for certain virus-related reasons. All airlines would be required, at the minimum, to provide vouchers that do not expire when travelers cannot fly for the pandemic-related reasons outlined under the proposal.

On Aug. 22, 2022, the Department of Transportation will hold an online public meeting to discuss the proposed changes.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/business/transportation-dept-airline-rule.html