View Rule

The Department of Transportation has consistently interpreted 49 U.S.C. 41712, which prohibits U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers, and ticket agents from engaging in unfair practices in the sale of air transportation, to require carriers and ticket agents to provide requested refunds to passengers when a carrier cancels or significantly changes a flight to, from, or within the United States. This rulemaking would clarify that, under the Department's rule requiring airlines to provide prompt refunds when ticket refunds are due and its rule requiring ticket agents to make refunds promptly when service cannot be performed as contracted, carriers and ticket agents must provide prompt ticket refunds to passengers when a carrier cancels or makes a significant change to a flight. This rulemaking would define cancellation and significant change, including addressing whether new itineraries involving delays of a certain length or additional stops constitute a significant change requiring a refund. This rulemaking would also address protections for consumers who are unable to travel due to government restrictions.