(VitalNews.org) – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) took an unprecedented stand by massively fining JetBlue Airways $2 million for chronically delayed flights.
The massive $2 million fine against JetBlue represents a significant push by the DOT to crack down on repeated flight delays.
The company’s violations stem from its failure to notify passengers of their rights during lengthy tarmac delays, particularly a lapse involving JetBlue Flight 645 at JFK Airport.
The DOT rule, effective since August 2011, explicitly requires airlines to provide updates every 30 minutes, ensuring passengers are not kept in the dark.
This landmark penalty aims to enforce reliability and operational efficiency. Between June 2022 and November 2023, JetBlue operated four chronically delayed flights at least 145 times.
This chronic delay affected routes, including JFK to Raleigh-Durham, Fort Lauderdale, and Windsor Locks.
Despite investing to reduce these delays, the airline still ranked ninth among 10 U.S. airlines for timely arrivals from January to September 2024, with only 71.3% of flights arriving on time.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of realistic flight schedules and fair treatment of passengers.
“Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers. Today’s action puts the entire airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality,” he stated.
The DOT’s investigation uncovered that JetBlue violated a critical rule stipulating that passengers must be informed they can deplane during delays exceeding three hours for domestic and four for international flights.
This discovery puts more pressure on the company to reform its practices. The airline attributed part of its delays to the U.S. government’s air traffic control system, a statement seeming to deflect full responsibility.
Moreover, the $2 million fine is split, with half going to the U.S. Treasury and the remainder compensating affected passengers with at least $75 each.
Its customers impacted by delays or disruptions can expect $1 million in compensation within the upcoming year.
The DOT will credit JetBlue $1 million of the fine for compensation already paid to passengers and for future compensation with vouchers of at least $75, signaling a shift towards consumer-centric solutions.
Meanwhile, the DOT is now investigating other airlines for unrealistic scheduling practices, demonstrating a broader commitment to consumer protection.
This move encourages all airlines to prioritize passenger satisfaction and adherence to schedules or face similar penalties.
As the DOT continues strengthening passenger protections, travelers can expect more transparency in airfare fees and less disruption in overall travel experiences.
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