Biden administration presses airlines to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations
- President Biden to announce new rules on compensation for delays and cancellations.
- Passengers would get cash and refunds for some controllable events.
- Measures would be similar to EU261 rules that give passengers payouts for long delays and cancellations.
The Biden administration is proposing a set of rules that would require airlines to compensate passengers for any drastic flight delays or cancellations.
As a part of this push, the U.S. Department of Transportation will mandate that airlines cover expenses for meals, hotels and rebookings whenever passengers are facing significant delays or cancellations caused by an airline. It would require cash compensation in addition to potential refunds.
"Many [travelers] missed family gatherings; spent Christmas at an airport; waited countless hours in line or on the phone because there weren't enough personnel — that's unacceptable," President Joe Biden said at Monday afternoon press conference. "And while flight delays and cancellations have come down since then, there's still a problem."
The DOT also rolled out the website FlightRights.gov — an update to the previous airline consumer service dashboard that notes which airlines already offer cash compensation, travel credits, vouchers or frequent flyer miles for delays and cancellations.
None of the major U.S. airlines currently offer cash compensation for cancellations, according to the dashboard. Only one airline gives frequent flyer miles and two guarantee travel credits or vouchers to passengers who experience significant delays or cancellations caused by something within the airline's control, according to the DOT.
Additionally, the new rule would define what constitutes a "controllable cancellation or delay."
"When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
Related: Airlines pushed again by DOT to be better on delays and cancellations
The proposal comes as the Biden administration has tried to hold the airline industry accountable for various consumer protection issues. These issues include free family seating and fee disclosures for ancillary costs, along with flight changes and cancellations.
Airlines have also faced scrutiny from Washington for a stumbling recovery from the pandemic filled with flight cancellations and delays. Last summer, thousands of flights were delayed or canceled daily due to air traffic control and pilot staffing issues.
In the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines also received more than $50 billion in government aid to stave off any layoffs and to equip them to handle the return of passenger travel. However, the industry's lack of preparation for growing customer demand has frustrated lawmakers.
"The American taxpayer stepped up in 2020 in the last administration in the early days of the pandemic to provide nearly $50 billion in assistance to keep the airline industry and its employees afloat," Biden said at the conference. "That's why our top priority has been to get American air travelers a better deal."
An April Government Accountability Office report found that cancellations and delays caused by airlines in the years coming out of COVID-19 significantly outpaced pre-pandemic levels. These issues became more common as travel demand increased. As a result of the delays and cancellations, the complaints the DOT received from passengers regarding flight issues also rose significantly, according to the GAO report.
Airlines for America, a trade group that represents the major U.S. airlines, said in a statement that carriers have taken responsibility for the issues that are within their control and have worked toward strengthening their operational reliability.
"U.S. airlines have no incentive to delay or cancel a flight and do everything in their control to ensure flights depart and arrive on time," A4A said.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
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