JetBlue passengers in for big pay day as airline is forced to fork out $2 million over frustrating flight experiences
A hefty $2 million fine has been imposed on JETBLUE Airways for its frequent delays on East Coast flights.
Each customer will get at least $75, with at least half of the settlement going to travelers who were impacted by delays.
The US Treasury will receive the remaining $1 million in cash.
Based on what the US Department of Transportation referred to be “unrealistic scheduling” by JetBlue, the fine is the first of its kind to be imposed for persistent delays on particular routes.
Flights that operate at least ten times per month and arrive more than half the time more than thirty minutes late are considered chronic delays, according to the DOT.
JFK to Raleigh-Durham, JFK to Fort Lauderdale, JFK to Orlando, and Windsor Locks, Connecticut, to Fort Lauderdale are the four routes that are frequently mentioned for flight delays.
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However, because of its inadequate supervision over the air traffic control system, the government has been blamed by the airline’s executives in New York City for contributing to the flight confusion.
A representative for JetBlue urged the incoming Trump administration to give updating “outdated” air traffic control technology first priority.
The fine was denounced by Transport Secretary Pete Buttigiegan, who said his department has been at the forefront of the Biden administration’s criticism of airlines for their subpar service and rising passenger prices.
“Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers,” he stated.
“Today s action puts the entire airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality.”
Derek Dombrowski, a spokesman for the airline, stated that the firm has spent “tens of millions of dollars to reduce flight delays, particularly related to ongoing air traffic control challenges in our largest markets in the Northeast and Florida.”
Delays this year, including during the busiest summer travel season, have decreased as a result of this investment, he added.
“While we ve reached a settlement to resolve this matter regarding four (routes) in 2022 and 2023, we believe accountability for reliable air travel equally lies with the US government, which operates our nation s air traffic control system,” Dombrowski stated.
It occurs one week after JetBlue faced criticism for a flight from Turks and Caicos to Boston Logan that was delayed by more than twenty-four hours.
Travelers find flying unreliable due to illegal, ongoing flight delays.
Without a place to stay, passengers were left stuck in the Caribbean resort.
According to the Transportation Department, roughly 71% of JetBlue’s flights were on time last year between January and September.
In terms of the biggest domestic airlines’ on-time performance, the airline came in second to last.
Out of ten, Frontier Airlines came in last.
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According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, JetBlue was responsible for over 9% of flight delays over that same time period.
In recent months, the airline has discontinued a number of underperforming routes, including flights from New York to Miami and Houston.
New automatic refunds for flyers
For flights that are canceled or noticeably delayed, passengers on any airline will now automatically receive cash refunds.
Airlines must automatically reimburse customers if their trip is canceled or delayed by more than three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights, according to a new rule issued by the Department of Transportation.
Travelers who “do not accept the significantly changed flight, rebooking on an alternative flight, or alternative compensation,” according to the DOT, will receive their reimbursements.
Additionally, passengers who have luggage returns that are considerably delayed or who do not receive ancillary services will automatically receive refunds.
Refunds are scheduled to arrive within seven business days if the customer purchased their ticket using a credit card.
Within 20 calendar days, passengers who paid for their tickets using a different method will have their money refunded.
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