How the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 Affects Air Travelers

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 established several rules for airline passengers. One of those rules pertains to refunds and other consumer protections. The rule outlines requirements regarding ticket refunds due to airline cancellation or significant change, refunds of baggage fees for significantly delayed bags, and refunds of ancillary service fees when services are not provided. Certain criteria must be met. The rules went into affect October 28, 2024.

A "significantly changed or delayed flight" is defined as a flight to include, at a minimum, a flight where the passenger arrives at the passenger's destination airport 3 or more hours after the original scheduled arrival time for a domestic flight and 6 or more hours after the original scheduled arrival time for an international flight.

The new DOT rule requires refunds for baggage fees when checked bags arrive 12 or more hours late for domestic flights after a traveler arrives at the gate. For international flights, refunds are due if baggage arrives 15 to 30 hours late, depending on the length of the flight. Airlines and ticket agents must comply with issuing refunds by Oct. 28, 2024.

Details of the Rule can be found at the Federal Register's entry on Refunds and Other Consumer Protections.

The DOT is working on new rules to prohibit airlines from charging families extra to guarantee a child 13 or younger to sit with a parent or adult travel partner. Alaska, American, Frontier and Jet Blue currently guarantee free family seating. Southwest currently has no assigned seating which allows families to sit in seats of their choice.

The U.S. PIRG Education Fund has a good summary of the new rules and when they take effect.