Biden Administration Announces Sweeping New Airline Rules to Protect Passengers

The new regulations aim to eliminate hidden fees and ensure automatic refunds for disrupted flights, significantly enhancing consumer rights.

The Biden administration has introduced comprehensive rules requiring airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for canceled or significantly altered flights.
These regulations also mandate full disclosure of all potential fees at the time of booking, effectively ending surprise 'junk fees' for services like checked bags and seat changes.
Airlines must now provide refunds within specific time frames: seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 days for other payment methods.
The rules, set to take effect in October 2024, are expected to save travelers over $500 million annually in avoided fees.
Consumer advocates have praised the new measures as a significant advancement in passenger rights, with the potential to greatly improve the flying experience.