New bill would require cash payment for delayed flights
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NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – New legislation would require airlines to pay travelers cash for delayed domestic flights, Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced Monday.
The new legislation, dubbed the Enhancing Transparency from Airlines Act, would require airlines to compensate travelers for delays over three hours. When delays exceed five hours, travelers would get up to $500 in cash, Gottheimer said.
It would apply to domestic flights delayed by issues within the airline’s control, the New Jersey representative said. It will standardize a process that is handled differently airline to airline, Gottheimer said.
“This means cash back in your wallets for the costs you bear and headaches caused by missed connections, paying for that extended parking, or meals, or having to book another airline,” Gottheimer said. “You often have to go out of pocket.”
The Trump administration recently announced that it will no longer pursue a Biden-era effort to require airlines to compensate customers for flight delays and other inconveniences.
Under the proposal, travelers could have been entitled to cash compensation of up to $300 for domestic flight delays that lasted at least three hours and up to $775 for delays that stretched past nine hours, on top of compensation for other unexpected costs incurred, such as meals and lodging.
It would have gone into effect in February this year.
This story comprises reporting from Nexstar Media Wire.