WASHINGTON- The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a record $2 million penalty on JetBlue Airways (B6) for operating persistently delayed flights, marking the first-ever fine issued for chronic flight delays in the department’s history.
The enforcement action targets the airline’s practice of unrealistic scheduling, which DOT identifies as detrimental to passenger rights and market competition.
Photo: JFK SpottingJetBlue Fined for Flight Delays
The penalty structure allocates $1 million directly toward compensating affected JetBlue passengers who experienced chronic delays or may face future service disruptions within the next twelve months.
This enforcement action signals DOT’s strengthened stance against carriers engaging in unrealistic scheduling practices, with additional airline investigations currently underway.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the significance of this enforcement action, stating that illegal chronic delays undermine travel reliability. His statement reinforces DOT’s commitment to ensuring airline schedules accurately reflect operational realities.
The department’s regulations explicitly prohibit airlines from publishing schedules that deviate significantly from actual flight times. This practice constitutes a violation of fair competition principles by enabling carriers to attract customers through misleading scheduling information.
The regulations define a chronically delayed flight as one operating minimum of ten times monthly that arrives more than 30 minutes behind schedule in over half its operations across four consecutive months, with cancellations counted as delays.
Photo: JetBlueDetailed Investigation
The Department of Transportation’s investigation has exposed JetBlue’s operation of four chronically delayed flights, occurring 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023. These flights experienced persistent delays spanning five or more consecutive months.
JetBlue maintained these delayed operations despite receiving DOT warnings about its JFK to Raleigh-Durham route. The airline proceeded to operate three additional chronically delayed routes: Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale to New York JFK, and Fort Lauderdale to Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, sourced from JetBlue’s submissions to DOT, attributes over 70 percent of the disruptions on these four routes directly to the airline. DOT regulations provide airlines sufficient time to adjust their schedules when flights become chronically delayed, yet JetBlue failed to implement necessary corrections.
The enforcement order mandates JetBlue to immediately cease these chronic delays and pay a substantial $2 million penalty. The penalty structure divides the amount equally: $1 million directed to the U.S. Treasury and $1 million allocated for passenger compensation.
The compensation package extends to passengers affected by the identified chronically delayed flights and covers future cancellations or delays exceeding three hours within the next year. DOT mandates a minimum compensation value of $75 per affected passenger for these disruptions.
Also Read: US Fines Lufthansa and SWISS $420K for Airspace Violations
Photo: HOK WebsiteOther Measures for Airline Passenger Protection
The Biden-Harris Administration has executed the most comprehensive expansion of airline passenger rights in U.S. history, implementing new regulations and securing record refunds for travelers through the Department of Transportation.
The DOT has established mandatory automatic cash refund requirements for airlines when flights face cancellation or significant changes, checked baggage experiences substantial delays, or promised services remain undelivered. These refunds must be processed promptly in the original payment method at full value.
A groundbreaking consumer protection rule targets airline junk fees, requiring upfront disclosure of additional charges like baggage and change fees. While airlines have legally challenged this regulation, resulting in a temporary implementation hold, the DOT continues to advocate for voluntary compliance with these transparency measures.
The administration has strengthened protections for passengers with disabilities through enhanced service standards. Airlines must now provide annual hands-on training for staff assisting disabled passengers and handling mobility equipment. The regulation specifies precise protocols for wheelchair damage or delays during transport.
Major U.S. carriers have committed to providing comprehensive passenger support during disruptions. All ten large airlines now guarantee free rebooking, meals, hotel accommodations, and additional services during significant delays or cancellations they cause, with these commitments legally enforceable by DOT.
The administration has facilitated nearly $4 billion in passenger refunds and reimbursements, including $600 million related to the 2022 Southwest Airlines (WN) holiday disruption. DOT penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations have reached $225 million under Biden’s tenure, significantly surpassing the $70 million total imposed between 1996 and 2020.
DOT has expanded its oversight capacity by partnering with state attorneys general and establishing a collaborative complaint review system. This partnership enhances enforcement capabilities and strengthens passenger rights protection mechanisms.
The department advances additional regulatory initiatives, including proposed rules for airline-caused disruption compensation and the elimination of family seating fees. Following administration pressure, five airlines now guarantee fee-free family seating, as DOT develops broader regulations to prohibit these charges industry-wide.
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The post JetBlue Fined $2 Million for Chronic Flight Delays by US DOT, What is it? appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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