A group of Senate Democrats has introduced new legislation aimed at holding airlines financially responsible for major flight delays. Senators Mark Kelly (Arizona), Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), and Ed Markey (Massachusetts) unveiled a proposal Thursday that would ensure passengers receive direct cash compensation when airlines significantly disrupt travel plans.
Under the proposed bill — backed by more than a dozen Democratic senators — the Department of Transportation (DOT) would be required to enforce the following compensation rules:
- $300 for delays exceeding three hours
- $600 for delays of six hours or more
These standards mirror compensation policies already used in Canada and the European Union.
The legislation also pushes the DOT to require airlines to reimburse travelers for additional expenses caused by delays or cancellations, including meals, lodging, and ground transportation.
Sen. Kelly emphasized the need for consumer protection, saying:
“Flying is already stressful and expensive. Airlines must be held accountable when delays cost Americans time and money.”
The Hill has requested comments from the DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the proposal.
This bill follows the Biden administration’s now-withdrawn plan from September, which previously sought to require cash payouts ranging from $200 to $775 depending on the length of the delay. DOT pulled the proposal back after industry pushback.
Airlines for America — the trade association representing major U.S. airlines — supported the reversal, arguing that the compensation mandate was overly burdensome and beyond the DOT’s authority.
