A new law now prohibits leaving the airport during flight delays

Minor delays of 30 minutes to an hour are quite common—when do flights ever leave exactly on time? But a three-hour delay is more problematic.

Many passengers are unaware of their rights during long delays, so let’s clarify: never leave the airport under any circumstance during such delays.

In April, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a final rule from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds promptly when owed. This rule, introduced earlier this year, simplifies securing refunds when flights are canceled or significantly changed, checked bags are significantly delayed, or extra services purchased are not provided.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them—without headaches or haggling.”

With these latest rules, passengers are entitled to a full cash refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed.