24 April, 2024
Airlines for America respond to new rules for U.S. air carriers.
U.S. authorities to change the rules on automatic refunds of airline tickets and ancillary service fees
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.
“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”
The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes.
Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:
- Cancelled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is cancelled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
- Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.
- Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.
DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.
Travel plans of thousands of passengers still in question following last minute withdrawal of French ATC strike threat
23 April, 2024
Direct flights from Manchester to ‘Italy’s best kept secret’ begin this month
Lap up the sun on a Calabrian beach
Textron Aviation starts delivering Beechcraft King Air 260 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) Aircraft to U.S. Navy
Endless Special Missions Possibilities
Delta to increases starting pay to $19 an hour....
Summer headache for travellers to Canary Islands
easyJet reopens applications for 2024 Pilot Training Programme
The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme is now open for aspiring pilots to apply at Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme | CAE
The Royal Aeronautical Society publishes paper on the Mental Health Challenge in Civil Aviation
22 April, 2024
AerCap releases its 7th Environmental, Social, and Governance report.
Key highlights of the report include:
Our ESG ratings have continued to show a positive trajectory as evidenced by our recent rating improvements. In September 2023, we were upgraded by MSCI ESG Ratings to 'AA' or 'Leader' level, and in April 2024, we were upgraded by Morningstar Sustainalytics to 'Low Risk' level.We continued our corporate fleet modernization strategy to ensure we own the most in-demand and fuel-efficient aircraft, with ~$50 billion invested in new technology aircraft since 2014.As of December 31, 2023, AerCap's fleet comprised of ~70% new technology aircraft by net book value and ~80% new technology engines, with an additional ~$18 billion of new technology assets on order.Our indirect Scope 3 emissions intensity improved in 2023. We have achieved a 15% reduction in gCO2 per seat/km across our entire fleet over the last decade, notwithstanding our fleet doubling in size during this period.We continued to make progress on our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging ("DEIB") framework and strategy, conducting focus groups and training sessions throughout 2023 to focus on the issues that matter most to our employees.We had continuous engagement and collaboration with regulatory authorities and the wider aviation industry on policy and decarbonization matters through our dedicated Government Affairs & Sustainability function, aiding our situational awareness and ability to engage on key policy developments.Together with our employees, AerCap donated over $800,000 to charitable and social causes and partnerships in 2023.
WestJet's new codeshare with Korean Air
Starting next month WestJet's codeshare deal with Korean Air begins, giving Canadians access to six additional cities across four Asian countries from Seoul's Incheon International Airport.
GoJet Airlines brings in groundbreaking pilot recruitment initiative.
British Airways restarts London - Abu Dhabi route
Season | Flight number | Departing LHR | Arriving AUH | Flight number | Departing AUH | Arriving LHR |
Summer ‘24 | BA73 | 22:25 | 08:30+1 | BA72 | 10:10 | 15:20 |
Winter ‘24 | BA73 | 22:25 | 09:30+1 | BA72 | 11:10 | 15:20 |
Air Canada Introduces New Sports Channels to Live TV Service Just in Time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Air Canada's Live TV experience is delivered through a satellite-connected solution, directly to the seat-back screen. Live TV programming on Air Canada flights is comprised of:
- Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet East offer extensive coverage of the NHL and Stanley Cup Playoffs, Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors, as well as NBA, MLB, Grand Slam of Curling, and more (available only on domestic flights)
- TVA Sports offers extensive French-language coverage of the NHL and Stanley Cup Playoffs, WTA, Blue Jays and MLB games, UFC, EURO 2024 and more (available on domestic and transborder flights)
- TSN and RDS, delivering comprehensive live sports coverage of marquee sports events including this summer's UEFA EURO 2024 and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™, as well as additional sports including hockey, basketball, football, baseball, golf and tennis majors, auto racing, and more
UK Ministry of Defence orders more H145 helicopters
Aerobytes confirm sponsorship of Rich Goodwin Airshows
Reliable Airlines joins top 5% of part 135 cargo operators
19 April, 2024
Corporación América Airports released its passenger traffic numbers for March 2024
Passenger Traffic Overview
Air Canada to offer more flights to more destinations....
New international services to Singapore, Madrid, Stockholm, Osaka and Seoul
Over 30% additional capacity into Asia-Pacific with up to 87 weekly flights
25% increase to key leisure destinations in Southern Europe
120 destinations across North America, including new services to Charleston, South Carolina and Tulum, Mexico