Happy news for travelers on planes: the Department of Transportation said on Wednesday that it will be implementing new regulations mandating that airlines automatically reimburse customers in cash for canceled and significantly delayed flights.
The length of time a delay must last before an airline issues a refund is no longer up to them.
This includes tickets bought straight from airlines, independent travel agencies, and websites like Expedia and Travelocity.
Passengers are "entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered," according to DOT regulations.
If your bags are misplaced and not delivered within a 12-hour period, DOT will also mandate that airlines issue cash refunds.
The regulations are the result of the FAA fining Southwest Airlines a record $140 million for its operational disaster during the Christmas travel season of 2022.
According to the group, from 2020 to 2023, the 11 biggest American airlines refunded $43 billion to customers—nearly $11 billion in refunds only last year.
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