New DOT rule may make it harder to receive compensation for flight delays

Starting Oct. 19, it will get more difficult for passengers to get compensation if their flight is delayed, as a new rule by the Department of Transportation changes what's considered to be within an airline's control.

The DOT said it will remove 10 events that cause flight disruptions from being "within the carrier's control," as outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. "The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is amending its regulations governing how air carriers report the causes of flight cancellations and delays," according to the rule published in the Federal Register on Sept. 3.

"These 10 specific types of flight disruptions will now be tracked in a brand-new reporting category to ensure government delay data accurately reflects what airlines can and cannot control," the agency said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Currently, issues related to maintenance, crew scheduling or aircraft cleaning are treated as being under the carrier's control.

The reclassification of these incidents means they won't be reported in the Bureau of Transportation Statistics' on-time performance data, and also reduce the qualifying circumstances of when flyers can receive vouchers or refunds due to delays.

Some aviation experts are pushing back on the new…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/