U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Senator Edward J. Markey and 16 other Democratic senators, has called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reverse its decision to roll back consumer protections related to air travel.
In a letter addressed to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, the senators expressed concern over the department’s move to undo rules established during the Biden Administration. These rules required airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays and cancellations and mandated that airlines disclose all ancillary fees upfront so consumers would know the full cost of their flights before purchase.
“Last year, Congress acted to protect the flying public from airline-caused disruptions and surprise costs,” wrote the senators. “The law guaranteed the right to a hassle-free refund for passengers when flights are cancelled or significantly delayed regardless of cause. The law also required airlines to have policies in place to compensate passengers for significant flight disruptions within an airline’s control and be transparent about fees — such as baggage fees or change fees — that they charge consumers. The regulations recently targeted by the Department build upon the consumer protection framework established under the law.”
The DOT is reconsidering two major consumer protection rules from the previous administration. One rule would have required airlines to pay between $200 and $300 for domestic flight delays lasting at least three hours, with compensation up to $775 for longer delays or cancellations caused by airlines. Another rule would have made it mandatory for airlines to reveal extra charges like baggage or reservation change fees before customers purchase tickets.
“We urge DOT to reconsider its decision to roll back these important cost-saving protections for the flying public and to implement the bipartisan FAA law requirements as Congress intended,” continued the senators in their letter. “American families deserve transparency in airline pricing and fair compensation for travel disruptions. These cost-saving consumer protections should be strengthened, not weakened.”
Senators Richard Blumenthal, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ron Wyden, Chris Van Hollen, Mazie K. Hirono, Tammy Duckworth, Amy Klobuchar, Ruben Gallego, Bernie Sanders, Mark Kelly, Martin Heinrich, Jack Reed, Peter Welch, Tina Smith, Sheldon Whitehouse and Elizabeth Warren also signed onto this letter.
In 2024 President Biden signed into law a bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act led by Sen. Cantwell which included measures such as strengthening oversight of aviation consumer protection at DOT; ensuring hassle-free refunds; banning family seating fees; increasing penalties for violations; and requiring that flight vouchers remain valid for at least five years.
