DOT fines JetBlue for alleged 'unrealistic scheduling' that causes chronic delays
The Department of Transportation said on Friday that it will fine JetBlue $2 million over chronic delays, accusing the airline of publishing unrealistic schedules that it knows it can't actually achieve.
According to DOT, JetBlue allegedly operated four routes that were delayed at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023 and were each chronically delayed for five straight months. DOT defines a flight as being "chronically delayed" if it is scheduled at least 10 times a month and arrives at least 31 minutes late more than half the time.
The flights included a route between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) that DOT said it had previously issued a warning on, noting a trend of chronic delays. Three other routes were included under the fine: JFK to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), JFK to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Connecticut's Bradley International Airport (BDL) to FLL.
Read more: The best airlines in the US for 2024
"Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "Today's action puts the entire airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality."
The airline was responsible for more than 70% of the delays on each of the routes, DOT said, rather than external factors like air traffic control delays or inclement weather. Even if the cause was outside of the airline's control, however, the airline would be responsible for adjusting its schedule to allow for those factors after a route becomes chronically delayed.
Friday's enforcement represents the first time DOT has fined an airline over chronic delays, the department said, noting that half of the fine will go toward compensating passengers affected by past or future delays.
In an interview with TPG last year, Buttigieg said that the agency was pressuring airlines to "prove the realism of their schedules," noting that carriers could publish scheduled departure and arrival times that it knows it can't actually meet "for reasons of gaining market share or other anti-competitive reasons."
"We have active investigations right now, and are calling on airlines to do the right thing in the first place and not allow there to be reason for suspicion that they are knowingly scheduling flights that they're not prepared to adequately serve," Buttigieg said at the time.
In a statement, JetBlue noted that it made major investments in its operations over the past two years that led to significant improvements in 2024; the carrier added that challenges linked to issues with air traffic control, which is overseen by DOT, were notable in New York and Florida airspace.
"While we've reached a settlement to resolve this matter regarding four flights in 2022 and 2023, we believe accountability for reliable air travel equally lies with the U.S. government, which operates our nation's air traffic control system," JetBlue said in the statement.
"We believe the U.S. should have the safest, most efficient, and advanced air traffic control system in the world, and we urge the incoming administration to prioritize modernizing outdated ATC technology and addressing chronic air traffic controller staffing shortages to reduce ATC delays that affect millions of air travelers each year."
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees