HR 5087119th CongressIn Committee

FLIGHT Act

Introduced: Sep 2, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15] (R-Florida)

InfrastructureTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The FLIGHT Act (Frequent Logistics Information for Grounded and Held Travelers Act) would amend title 49 of the U.S. Code to require certain air carriers to notify every passenger about delays. Specifically, for flights operated by a “covered air carrier,” if there is a delayed departure or taxi delay of 15 minutes or more, the carrier must notify each passenger at least every 15 minutes until the delay ends. Notifications must be sent by email or text message and must include the updated estimated departure/arrival time, plus a way for passengers to opt out of future notifications for that flight. The bill also inserts 42309 into the federal code and relies on the existing definition of “covered air carrier” found in section 42307.

Key Points

1Creates a new section (42309) requiring passenger notification of delayed flights for domestic or international flights operated by a covered air carrier.
2Trigger: a delay of 15 minutes or more in departure or taxi time.
3Notifications must occur at least every 15 minutes until the delay ends and must be delivered by email or text message.
4Each notification must include the new estimated times of departure and arrival (as applicable) and an opt-out mechanism for future notifications about that flight.
5The bill is introduced in the House (H.R. 5087, 119th Congress) by Ms. Lee of Florida and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; it also adds 42309 to the official table of sections.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Passengers on flights operated by covered air carriers, who would receive ongoing delay notifications.Secondary group/area affected: Airlines and their IT/communications/operations teams responsible for implementing and maintaining the notification system and ensuring timely message delivery.Additional impacts: Potential privacy/consent considerations (opt-out requirement), increased communications overhead and compliance costs for carriers, and the need for systems capable of delivering automated notifications via email/text at regular 15-minute intervals. The provided text does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms, nor a defined effective date.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 8, 2025