New US DOT rule requires airlines to “promptly” refund cancelled or delayed flights

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule requiring airlines to “promptly” provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when their flights have been cancelled or “significantly changed”. The significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival time that are more than three hours domestically and six hours internationally. “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling,” said US transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Our new rules sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.” The rule also includes refunds on checked