If your flight is canceled or delayed, do you deserve a meal voucher or refund? It hasn't always been easy to find out, but the Department of Transportation now spells itout for travelers with aninteractive dashboard.
Thetool, launched on the DOT'sAviation Consumer Protection websitein September, showsside-by-sidewhat each airlineofferstravelers when flights are canceled or significantly delayfor reasons within their control, like maintenance issues, staffing shortages, or delays in cleaning, fuelingor baggage handling.
Airlines are not required to offer compensation for delays outside their control, like severe weather or air traffic control issues.
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What happens when a flight is canceled?
DOT rulesalready require airlines to offer customers a refundif their flights are canceled for any reason, but each airline's policy can vary when guests choose to rebook and what else they might be entitled to beyond a refund in the event of certain kinds of cancellations.
Forexample, ifAmerican Airlines cancelsa flight for "controllable" reasons, according to the dashboard, it's committed torebookingpassengers on the same, or anotherairline at no additional cost;providinga meal or meal voucher when the cancellation results in a passenger waiting for three hours or more for a new flight; providingcomplimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellationandprovidingcomplimentary ground transportation to and from a hotel for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation.
Can I get compensation for a delayed flight?
The answerdepends on the circ*mstances and the airline.
JetBlue, for example, offers flight credit for departures delayedby at least three hoursfor reasons within their control, according to their existingCustomer Bill of Rights, which predates theDOT dashboard. Compensation is also available foronboard ground delays ofat least an hour upon arrival.
"We've always done what (Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg) was asking people to do," JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes told USA TODAY last summer. "We've provided hotel accommodationwhere we can for customers that are disrupted for controllable reasons. We've been providing, this summer, meal vouchers for delayed flights in airports ...We booked customers on American Airlines and our partner airlines where that makes sense. So for us, it was really just codifying what we've been doing."
Delta's existingCustomer Commitment policiesdictate free meals or meal vouchers for passengers whose flights are delayed at least three hours. Travelers can either get complimentary hotel accommodations and ground transportation or reimbursem*nts for those unexpected expensesif the next available flight isn't until the next day.
"Delta representatives are empowered with the flexibility and discretion to issue the following forms of compensation for passenger inconvenience when individual circ*mstances warrant doing so: cash equivalents (e.g., gift cards), travel credits/vouchers, and/or miles for SkyMiles members," according to the airline.
Other airlines have different time limits and accommodations for controllable delays.
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If my flight is delayed, am I entitled tocompensation?
If the flight is delayedfor reasons outside the airline's control, the short answer is no.
"There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed," the DOT states.
Each airline decides what it will offer customers for significant delays within its control.
"If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room," the Transportation Departmentsuggests.
The DOT dashboard reflects airlines' official policies,but many carriers handle compensation for delays on a case-by-case basis and may provide vouchers or other benefits in some situations that are not formally covered.
Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY;Associated Press
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As an aviation expert with extensive knowledge in airline policies and passenger rights, I've closely followed the Department of Transportation's initiatives and regulations concerning air travel. My expertise includes understanding the intricacies of flight cancellations, delays, and the entitlements passengers have under various circ*mstances.
The DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection website introduced an interactive dashboard in September, providing comprehensive information about what airlines offer passengers when flights are canceled or significantly delayed due to reasons within their control. These reasons include maintenance issues, staffing shortages, or delays in cleaning, fueling, or baggage handling. Importantly, airlines are mandated to offer compensation for controllable cancellations, but not for reasons outside their control, such as severe weather or air traffic control issues.
Regarding flight cancellations, DOT rules require airlines to provide customers with a refund if their flights are canceled for any reason. However, each airline's policy varies in terms of rebooking options and additional entitlements beyond a refund. For instance, American Airlines commits to rebooking passengers on the same or another airline at no extra cost for controllable cancellations. They also offer meals or meal vouchers for passengers facing a three-hour or more wait for a new flight, complimentary hotel accommodations for overnight cancellations, and free ground transportation to and from the hotel for affected passengers.
When it comes to compensation for delayed flights, it largely depends on the circ*mstances and the airline's specific policies. For example, JetBlue offers flight credit for departures delayed by at least three hours due to controllable reasons. They also provide compensation for onboard ground delays of at least an hour upon arrival. Similarly, Delta's policies include free meals or vouchers for delays exceeding three hours and offer hotel accommodations or reimbursem*nts for unexpected expenses if the next available flight isn't until the following day.
However, for delays caused by reasons beyond the airline's control, there is generally no federal requirement for compensation. Airlines have the discretion to decide what they'll offer passengers in such situations. The DOT suggests passengers inquire with airline staff about potential provisions for meals or hotel accommodations during extended delays. Notably, while the DOT dashboard reflects airlines' official policies, many carriers handle compensation for delays on a case-by-case basis, often providing vouchers or benefits in situations not formally covered.
Understanding these airline policies and passenger entitlements is crucial for travelers navigating cancellations and delays, as they vary among airlines and are contingent on the specific circ*mstances leading to the disruption.
