The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a 2 million dollar fine on JetBlue Airways for flight delays, marking the first time an airline has been penalized for such issues.
According to the DOT, half of the fine, or one million dollars, will be allocated to compensating JetBlue passengers affected by delays or cancellations over the next year. The other half will go to the U.S. Treasury, with $500,000 to be paid within the next 60 days and the remainder within one year after the first payment.
Additionally, the department reported that it is investigating other airlines for offering unrealistic flight schedules that do not match the actual departure and arrival times.
“The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or other unrealistic scheduling practices to protect fair competition in commercial aviation and ensure passengers are treated fairly,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement.
What do the U.S. Department of Transportation’s flight regulations say?
According to DOT regulations, a flight is considered to have chronic delays if it happens at least 10 times per month and arrives with a delay of more than 30 minutes more than 50% of the time. Cancellations are also counted as delays in this calculation.
The DOT found that JetBlue had operated four flights with chronic delays on at least 145 occasions between June 2022 and November 2023, and each of these flights had experienced delays for five consecutive months or more. Furthermore, the department had specifically warned JetBlue about chronic delays on its route between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Raleigh-Durham, but the airline continued to operate three additional flights with chronic delays between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, JFK, and between Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
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What did JetBlue Airways say about the fine?
In a statement, a JetBlue representative said that the airline recognizes the importance of getting passengers to their destinations on time and that they strive to operate their flights on schedule. Over the past two years, the airline claimed to have invested tens of millions of dollars to reduce delays, particularly those related to air traffic control issues and specific challenges in the Northeast and Florida.
“While we have reached an agreement to resolve this matter related to four flights in 2022 and 2023, we believe that the responsibility for reliable air transportation lies equally with the U.S. government, which operates the air traffic control system in our nation,” they said.
How do I know if my JetBlue flight is delayed?
Customers can check the status of their flight through the online Flight Tracker.
What should I do if JetBlue Airways cancels my flight?
If JetBlue cancels your flight for any reason and you had a confirmed reservation at the time of the cancellation, you can choose from the following alternatives:
- Reschedule your flight on the next available JetBlue flight at no additional cost.
- Request a refund through the original payment method.
- If the cancellation occurs within 4 hours prior to the scheduled departure, the flight may be eligible for compensation under the Customer Bill of Rights.
Can I get compensation if JetBlue Airways cancels my flight?
In general, delays are not grounds for compensation. However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires U.S. airlines to offer a refund to passengers in the case of a total flight cancellation.
How much should a flight be delayed to receive compensation?
JetBlue applies a progressive compensation system. In the case of a departure delay, the minimum compensation is $50 in travel credits if the flight is delayed by three hours, and the credit increases by $50 for each additional hour of delay. The maximum credit amount is $200 for delays of six hours or more.
After passengers have boarded the plane, the compensation varies based on the delay time: $100 in credit for a delay of between three and five hours, $175 for delays of between five and six hours, and $250 for delays of six hours or more.
Passengers may also receive compensation if they experience delays on the ground upon arrival. In these cases, the credit will be $50 for a delay of one to two hours, $125 for a delay of two to three hours, and $200 for delays of three hours or more.
