Democrat senators introduce bill requiring airline compensation for delays

Three Democratic senators introduced legislation Thursday that would require airlines to provide passengers with cash compensation and free rebooking for extended hours Flight delay.

Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and Ed Markey, D-Mass., proposed the measure, which was co-sponsored by more than a dozen other Democratic senators.

Under the bill, called the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, airlines would need to pay passengers $300 if their flight was delayed by more than three hours, and $600 if their flight was delayed by at least six hours.

Trump ignores Biden plan that would have forced airlines to pay passengers cash for delays

Senators Mark Kelly, Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey proposed the measure. (Getty Images/Getty Images)

It would also require the Department of Transportation to mandate that airlines compensate passengers for meals, hotels, and transportation resulting from flight disruptions, regardless of the cause.

“Flying is already stressful and expensive,” Kelly said in a press release. “Airlines must be held accountable when they cost the American people money and leave travelers stranded.” “We are working to make sure passengers are protected so that cancellations and delays don’t cost them money out of their own pockets.”

This comes after the Ministry of Transport withdrew A Biden administration It plans to offer cash compensation to passengers who experience delays. That proposal would have required airlines to pay customers between $200 and $300 for a delay of at least three hours, between $375 and $525 for a delay of at least six hours, and between $750 and $775 for a delay of at least nine hours.

A United Airlines Airbus parked at Dulles Washington International Airport, in Dallas, Virginia. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Airlines for America, a trade and lobbying group representing major airlines, backed the Trump administration’s reversal.

“We are encouraged by this Department of Transportation to review unnecessary and burdensome regulations that exceed its authority and do not resolve issues important to our customers,” the group said at the time.

But senators say compensation will be financial Passenger protection Those experiencing flight delays or cancellations beyond their control.

The Biden administration’s new airline rules require cash refunds for canceled flights, and the fees were disclosed in advance

Travelers look at flight departure information boards in the West Gates expansion area at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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“This common-sense legislation holds airlines accountable and appropriately compensates passengers when their flight is delayed or cancelled, protecting Americans from losing their hard-earned paychecks due to flight disruptions beyond their control and relieving the burden of chaotic travel days,” Blumenthal said.

He continued: “The Trump administration’s foolish rollback on airline passenger protections only serves the airline industry, burdening it and leaving Americans stranded without help.” “With the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, we are putting the traveling public first and promoting cost-saving consumer protections.”