Transportation Department delays airline delay-category rule to February
The Transportation Department has pushed back a rule changing how airlines report the causes of some delays until February 1, 2027, CBS News Philadelphia and AFAR reported. It had been set to start Monday. Critics say it could mean fewer meal and hotel vouchers for stranded travelers.
The US Department of Transportation has delayed a new rule that changes how airlines categorize certain flight delays and cancellations until February 1, 2027, CBS News Philadelphia and AFAR reported. The rule had been scheduled to take effect Monday, October 19, CBS News Philadelphia reported.
The department agreed to postpone the rule after a request from Airlines for America, the trade group for major US carriers, CBS News Philadelphia and AFAR reported. The delay is meant to give airlines, regulators and others more time to update reporting systems, and to allow a cleaner start at the beginning of a calendar year, CBS News Philadelphia reported, citing the department.
The rule carries out the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, in which Congress directed the department to stop counting 10 types of disruptions as the airlines' fault when they report why flights were delayed or canceled, AFAR reported. The categories include unscheduled maintenance, medical emergencies, cybersecurity incidents and unruly passengers, CBS News Philadelphia reported.
That matters because airlines generally promise meals and hotels only when a disruption is within their control, AFAR reported. The department itself expects that the total value of amenities and compensation airlines provide "will be reduced" as a result, AFAR reported.
"If the plane goes mechanical at the gate because it's not safe to fly, the airlines may no longer have to compensate you," said Clint Henderson of The Points Guy travel site, according to CBS News Philadelphia. Consumer advocates worry the change could give airlines more discretion over hotel rooms, meal vouchers and other help, CBS News Philadelphia reported.
Under the new timeline, airlines will start reporting under the new categories for flights on or after January 1, 2027, CBS News Philadelphia reported. For now, travelers heading into the holiday season stay under the current system, CBS News Philadelphia reported.
The rule does not change existing refund protections. Travelers are still entitled to automatic refunds when a flight is canceled or significantly delayed and they decline other arrangements, Henderson said, CBS News Philadelphia reported.
What we know: The delay-category rule now takes effect February 1, 2027, instead of October 19.
What we don't: How each airline will change its meal and hotel policies once the rule takes effect.
Where outlets agree CBS News Philadelphia and AFAR report that the Transportation Department pushed the delay-category rule back to February 1, 2027, at the airline industry's request.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.