By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – A group of 15 Democratic senators proposed legislation Thursday to require airlines to provide cash compensation if carriers cause significant delays.
The senators led by Mark Kelly, Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal are proposing to mandate compensation in line with European Union and Canadian requirements, including mandating at least $300 for a delay of more than three hours and at least $600 for a delay of six hours or more.
The proposal – first reported by Reuters – comes after the administration of President Donald Trump on Nov. 14 withdrew a plan by his predecessor to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation when U.S. flight disruptions are caused by carriers.
“Airlines have to be accountable when they cost the American people money and travelers are left stranded,” said Kelly. “We’re working to make sure that passengers are protected so that cancellations and delays don’t cost them money out of their own pockets.”
In December 2024, the U.S. Transportation Department under then-President Joe Biden sought public comment on writing rules to require airlines to pay $200 to $300 for domestic delays of at least three hours and up to $775 for longer delays.
Airlines for America, a trade group representing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and others, previously criticized Biden’s cash compensation plan, saying it would raise ticket prices.
Last month, USDOT said the rules would result in “unnecessary regulatory burdens,” explaining why it would not go forward.
Airlines in the U.S. must refund passengers for canceled flights, but are not required to compensate customers for delays. The European Union, Canada, Brazil and Britain all have airline delay compensation rules. No large U.S. airline currently guarantees cash compensation for significant flight disruption.
USDOT also announced in September it was considering rescinding Biden regulations requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside airfares.
The Trump administration also plans to reduce regulatory burdens on airlines and ticket agents by writing new rules detailing the definition of a flight cancellation that entitles consumers to ticket refunds, as well as revisiting rules on ticket pricing and advertising.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
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