Department of Transportation to propose requirements for airlines to compensate stranded passengers

The Department of Transportation announced Monday its plans for a new rulemaking process requiring airlines to compensate passengers whose flights were delayed or canceled.

The proposal would require airlines to provide compensation and cover expenses for amenities, including meals, hotels and rebooking flights, when airlines are deemed responsible for stranding passengers at an airport, the news release stated.

The DOT said it has worked to improve passengers' travel experiences for the past two years, adding that the ten largest airlines now guarantee meals and free rebooking on the same airline, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations as part of the Department’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard.