“When Americans buy an airline ticket, they should get to their destination safely, reliably, and affordably.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeg, regarding a Transportation Department proposal that would require airlines to offer passengers a refund if their flight schedule was changed by three or more hours for domestic flights and at least six hours for an international one; refunds would also be required if the airline changed the passenger’s departure or arrival airport, added stops into the itinerary or caused a “significant downgrade” in flight experience through switching the type of plane. Consumer complaints with the department increased nearly sevenfold in 2020; 87 percent were about refunds. (Associated Press — Aug. 4, 2022)