Notice how they cited Covid data for the refund problems. Yeah…during Covid there was a problem. Find me an industry that didn’t have a problem during Covid.

Buttigieg is releasing these rules in anticipation of running for president. He wants to be able to say he held the airlines accountable but he really isn’t doing anything. This changes almost nothing.

What it will change is customers who don’t want a refund and would rather be put on the next flight at no charge could now easily be screwed.

For example…if I am an airline customer and I booked my ticket 6 months ago for $200 and the airline cancels my flight 2 days before the flight…under the old rules I could just demand to be put on a flight at no additional cost. Now, the airline can cancel, automatically refund me, and I get my $200 to go book a flight 2 days before I need to leave where I’m probably paying 3x more.

All of these rules released by this administration are merely masquerading as being consumer friendly when they really aren’t.

You could always get a refund when you bought a ticket when the flight is cancelled. Always.