Flight Refund Fairness Act
The Flight Refund Fairness Act would require air carriers (including foreign air carriers) to transfer funds to a ticket agent within a defined timeframe for cancelled or significantly delayed or changed flights, and it would mandate that refunds be issued to passengers within seven days after the ticket agent receives those funds. In effect, the bill tightens processing timelines to ensure quicker refunds for consumers and clarifies how funds flows between carriers and ticket agents. It amends title 49 of the United States Code (section 42305(e)) to replace vague language like “promptly” with an explicit deadline and to specify a 7-day refund window once funds are received by the ticket agent. The bill is titled the Flight Refund Fairness Act and, as introduced, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Key Points
- 1Replaces the word “promptly” with a defined deadline for refunds to be provided, stated as not later than the date described in subsection (b) of the same section, for refunded amounts related to cancelled or significantly delayed/changed flights.
- 2Establishes a concrete 7-day deadline for ticket agents to issue a refund to an individual after the ticket agent receives the funds transferred by the air carrier or foreign air carrier.
- 3Applies to both domestic air carriers and foreign air carriers, ensuring funds are transferred to the ticket agent and refunds are issued within the specified timelines.
- 4Adjusts cross-references in the refund provision to reflect a simplified reference to the applicable subsection, clarifying how “alternatives” to refunds are described in the statute.
- 5The bill’s formal details: titled the Flight Refund Fairness Act, introduced in the 119th Congress by Ms. Salazar (along with several cosponsors), and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.