FAA Bill Could Make Business Travel Smoother for 1 Huge Reason

Lawmakers are trying to hold airlines more accountable when flights are delayed by making it easier for passengers to get refunds–even if they have a non-refundable fare. 

The Senate passed the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill on Thursday,  infusing $105 billion into the agency for the next five years. The bipartisan measure will, among other things, roll out monetary recourse for flyers who’ve experienced flight delays or outright cancelations.

Airlines must refund customers who face three-hour long delays for domestic flights, or six-hour delays for international flights. The refunds are automatic–a win for any consumer who has had to call up an airline and be subjected to massive waits. And yes, this even includes those who bought non-refundable tickets. 

“Statutory rights to refunds are a big win for consumers in this bill,” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said in a statement. “Passengers can reject vouchers or alternative flights and without hassle get a refund.”

Airlines that fail to comply could face fines of up to $75,000 per violation. The bill brings aviation policy closer into alignment with the European law, EU261, which extends up to 600 euros ($646) to flyers who incur significant delays when traveling. 

The Senate’s bill also looks to expand workforce development programs for federal aviation workers and boost air traffic control staffing, the latter of which has suffered  shortages nationwide and has led to concerns around safety in addition to delays.

Last month, two planes nearly collided on the tarmac at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A Swiss Air jet nearly slammed into four others at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport in the same month. 

The quartet that held out their support were lawmakers from Virginia and Maryland: Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.).They did so because their amendment, which would have blocked 10 new long-distance flights out of Reagan National, was not approved. The group argued that the airport is already overburdened, pointing to the near collision in April. 

“Senators should have had the chance to vote on an amendment to strike these new flights or, at the least, vote to have the Secretary of Transportation certify that flight safety and operations would not be adversely affected before allowing these new flights to be added,” Sen. Cardin wrote in a statement.