U.S. Airlines Won't Issue Refunds for Missed Flights as TSA Lines Reach Hours Long

Travelers across the country are experiencing hours-long delays at airport security as a result of the partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, by extension, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

While these delays have undoubtedly caused many missed flights over the past several weeks, passengers may be frustrated to find that they cannot even get a refund for a missed flight if they are delayed by the TSA.

TSA Lines Reach Hours Long

While TSA employees are paid retroactively following a shutdown like this, they are required to work without pay until the government shutdown is over. With the length of the current partial shutdown, however, the TSA has begun to experience staffing shortages as some employees have been forced to get second jobs to make ends meet, creating staffing shortages.

As a result of the TSA staffing shortages, airports across the country have been experiencing long wait times at airport security. This weekend, wait times exceeded three hours at some airports throughout the country.

“Travelers are facing TSA lines of up to nearly three hours long at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays during peak travel,” the DHS said in a statement.

No Refunds for Missed Flights

While these major delays have led to many missed flights, the unfortunate reality is that customers who miss their flights as a result of long TSA lines are not entitled to a refund from their respective airline.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, airlines are required to provide a refund for a plane ticket any time a flight is cancelled, significantly delayed, or changed due to the airline's own doing. However, if a cancellation or delay stems from unforeseen circumstances such as weather, carriers are under no obligation to issue a refund.

Unfortunately for travelers, TSA lines are considered part of the airport and are not the responsibility of the individual airlines. As a result, airlines are not required to give customers refunds if they miss their flights as a result of a TSA delay.

It's worth noting that airlines still might offer an alternate flight or flight credits to a traveler who misses a flight as a result of the long TSA lines, but a full refund is not required and likely will not be given.

Needless to say, it's important to make sure you arrive at the airport early to allow yourself plenty of time to get through airport security.