Airlines Must Issue Refunds for Flights Canceled Due to the Impact of COVID-19

Airline refund policies and practices will be monitored and action will be enforced as necessary.

By Jennifer Swartvagher April 7, 2020

If you had a trip planned for spring break you may be getting a refund for your airline ticket. The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated that airlines need to refund passengers in the event flights are cancelled, government restrictions prevent flying or if there are significant schedule changes that the passenger chooses not to accept.

The DOT has been receiving an increasing number of complaints and inquiries from ticketed passengers, including many with non-refundable tickets, who describe having been denied refunds for flights that were canceled or significantly delayed. The passengers have stated that they were offered vouchers or credits for future travel instead. Airline refund policies and practices will be monitored and action will be enforced as necessary.

“In recognition of the fact that the COVID-19 public health emergency has had major impacts on the airline industry, the Aviation Enforcement Office will exercise its prosecutorial discretion and provide carriers an opportunity to become compliant before taking further action,” the DOT added.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Ross Parmly on Unsplash

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