Travelers who have recently experienced flight cancelations in airports across the country will soon have a tool to find out what airlines owe them when their flight is canceled or delayed because of disruptions within the carrier’s control.
This new interactive dashboard is developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The tool intends to give travelers an easy system that might help them learn about compensation when the cause of a flight cancelation or delay. The dashboard will be featured with comparative information on the services that each of the large U.S. airlines provides, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He sent a letter to all U.S. airlines last week.
As USA Today reported, Transportation Department rules require airlines to offer customers refunds if their flights were canceled for any reason. With this new tool, the federal department wants to give passengers clear information about their rights and how to proceed to get their refund.
“When passengers do experience cancelations and delays, they deserve clear and transparent information on the services that your airline will provide, to address the expenses and inconveniences resulting from these disruptions,” Buttigieg wrote.
According to DOT, the dashboard is expected to be launched on its Aviation Consumer Protection website by Sept. 2.
Secretary Buttigieg revealed that nearly a quarter of domestic flights were delayed and just over 3% were canceled in the first half of this year.
“We are also contemplating options for rulemaking that would further expand the rights of airline passengers who experience disruptions,” Buttigieg wrote. He added that DOT asks that airlines, at a minimum, provide meal vouchers for delays of 3 hours or more and lodging accommodations for passengers who must wait overnight at an airport due to flight cancelations.
As Travel Noire reported in June, air travel has been chaotic the past few months, especially with a rise in travel. Airlines have been canceled and delayed flights, frustrating travelers across the country.