Flight Delayed Or Cancelled? Airline Ticket Refund Policy May Change

It's been a few years since I last boarded an airplane. Fortunately for me, I had no delays, and the longest layover was just under 3 hours in Atlanta, so no big deal. I actually enjoyed wandering around an airport that I'd never been to before.

As you've seen in the news lately, flight delays seem to be a big issue no matter where you are flying out of in the United States. And passenger tempers are flaring. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, consumer complaints since 2000 over flight delays or cancellations have significantly increased.

Get our free mobile app

How many times have you had your flight delayed or canceled? What do the airlines do for you when that happens? Well, the U.S. D.O.T. has just announced a proposed rule that they say would strengthen protections when seeking refunds for airline tickets.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the rules would change for "refunds when a carrier cancels or significantly changes a flight to, from, or within the United States is an unfair practice."

The U.S. D.O.T. states that the changes would cover departure and/or arrival times by three hours or more for a domestic flight or six hours or more for an international flight, and any changes to the departure or arrival airport.

Other proposals include changes that increase the number of connections in the itinerary and any changes to the type of aircraft flown if it causes a significant downgrade in the air travel experience or amenities available onboard the flight. For more information on this proposal and airline passenger rights, click here.

via United States Department Of Transportation