Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Airline Passengers from Flight Cancellation and Delay Fees
Legislation follows the Trump administration’s move to roll back a Biden-era rule that protected consumers and held airlines accountable
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined colleagues in introducing legislation that would protect travelers by requiring airlines to provide cash compensation and free rebooking for passengers facing significant delays or cancellations caused by the airline.
Introduction of the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act follows the decision by the Trump administration earlier this year to rescind a Biden-era rule that protected travelers against these fees and costs. The legislation would also direct the federal Department of Transportation to mandate airlines reimburse passengers for hotels, meals, and transportation to lodging incurred by canceled or delayed flights.
“The biggest winners under Donald Trump’s presidency are corporations and the ultra-rich, and airlines are no exception,” Wyden said. “On top of his costly government shutdown that left travelers hamstrung and airports woefully understaffed by safety and air traffic controllers, now Trump is going out of his way to make flying more expensive for travelers. This legislation would restore much-needed consumer protections and financial relief during one of the busiest holiday travel seasons on record.”
The bill was introduced by Senators Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. In addition to Wyden, the bill is also cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
The legislation would require the Transportation Department to issue regulations that would:
- Establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee that includes consumer protection groups to develop recommendations to support consumers experiencing significant flight disruptions;
- Require the Aviation Rulemaking Committee to develop recommendations for passenger compensation in alignment with foreign standards;
- Set a baseline standard of compensation that is at least $300 for a delay of more than three hours but less than six hours, and at least $600 for a delay of six hours or more;
- Undertake a rulemaking to implement the Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommendations within 90 days after the report is submitted; and
- Establish a stricter interim final rule that would go into effect 18 months after the bill is enacted.
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