DOT reclassifies ten delay causes, limiting airline compensation for travelers
Starting Oct. 19, the U.S. Department of Transportation will treat ten specific flight-delay reasons as outside airline control, which could strip passengers of meals, hotel stays or vouchers.
Effective Oct. 19, the Department of Transportation will reclassify ten causes of flight delays and cancellations as events outside an airline’s control, removing the requirement for carriers to offer meals, lodging or other aid. The list includes unscheduled aircraft maintenance, removal of disruptive passengers, certain medical emergencies, cybersecurity incidents, cleaning after a passenger death, weather-related damage, baggage-system outages, government system failures, emergency brake overheating, and airport closures from volcanic ash or wind shear.
Critics argue that some items, like unexpected mechanical issues, are still within airline management. Katy Nastro notes that travelers may face unexpected expenses but can mitigate risk by using credit-card protections, purchasing travel insurance, or persisting in requests to the airline. The rule does not affect the separate entitlement to a refund for domestic flights delayed three hours or more if the passenger chooses not to travel.
Why it matters
The rule could force many delayed passengers to cover meals and hotels themselves, raising travel costs.
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