New bill seeks to provide relief for flyers who had flights delayed or canceled

Author: CBS NEWS
Published:
Flight cancelations are seen on the information board at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. Japan confirmed on Tuesday its first case of the new omicron coronavirus variant, a visitor who recently arrived from Namibia, an official said. Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads (Shinji Kita/Kyodo News via AP)

After months of flight frustrations, several senators want relief for flyers.

There have been so many of us that can share stories of a flight being canceled or delayed a long time. It’s then you find yourself asking, “why is this happening?”

A new bill that will hopefully make a difference is called the “Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations.”

LINK: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections

It would require airlines to offer customers a full cash refund within 30 days if a flight is canceled or significantly delayed less than 48 hours before departure.

Now, under current federal rules, flyers are entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled but many airlines instead offer rebookings or vouchers.

The bill was introduced in response to the thousands of flights that have been canceled so far this summer, even as the travel demand has surged.

Under the proposal, airlines who fail to offer refunds within 30 days could be fined $1,000.

LINK: Read your existing “Fly Rights” rights from the US DOT

 

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.