By DAVID KOENIG (AP Airlines Writer)
The Biden administration The Biden administration issued final rules on Wednesday mandating that airlines must automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and improve the disclosure of fees for baggage or canceling a reservation. fees for baggage or canceling a reservation.
The Transportation Department stated that airlines are required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays. canceled flights and “significant” delays.
Currently, airlines decide how long a delay must last before triggering refunds. The administration is removing that flexibility by defining a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones. a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones.
Airlines can still offer another flight or a travel credit, but consumers can refuse the offer. consumers can reject the offer.
The rule also applies to refunds of checked-bag fees if the bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. The rule also applies to fees for things such as seat selection or an internet connection if the airline fails to provide the service. checked-bag fees if the bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. And it will apply to fees for things such as seat selection or an internet connection if the airline fails to provide the service. Complaints about refunds increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as airlines canceled flights, and many people did not feel safe sharing a plane cabin with other passengers.
Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. carriers, noted that refund complaints to the Transportation Department have fallen sharply since mid-2020. A spokesperson for the group said airlines “offer a range of options