US govt proposes new airline compensation rules for delayed flights

The new rules also call for "timely customer service during and after periods of widespread flight irregularities".

The proposals would require airlines to proactively inform passengers they have a right to receive a refund when a flight is cancelled or significantly changed.

A "significant" change and cancellation that would entitle a consumer to a refund would be defined as more than three hours for a domestic flight and more than six hours for an international flight.

The rule would also require airlines to provide non-expiring vouchers or travel credits when people cannot travel because they have Covid-19 or other communicable diseases.

Airlines which receive significant government assistance in the future related to a pandemic, meanwhile, will have to issue refunds instead of non-expiring travel credits or vouchers when passengers are unable or advised not to travel because of a serious communicable disease.