Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be starting a dashboard in September to help travelers whose flights are delayed or canceled.
The DOT will launch the dashboard before the busy Labor Day weekend travel period on Sept. 2. This tool is meant to help customers resolve if they are owed if their flight is delayed or canceled. It will provide travelers with information about what each airline carrier offers. It will also state if the flights are delayed or canceled based on customer service plans.
In a letter to airline CEOs, Buttigieg called airline delays and cancellations “unacceptable” according to an article by The Hill. He went on to say that airline customers “deserve clear and transparent information on the services that your airline will provide, to address the expenses and inconveniences resulting from these disruptions.”
Additionally, the DOT wants airlines to give meal vouchers for delays of three or more hours. DOT is also urging lodging for delays that will result in customers stay at the airport overnight.
Whether you’re traveling or not, this has been somewhat of a summer of hell for flying. One latest example includes JetBlue passengers who were left stranded on a plane in Massachusetts. This happened because there was no airport staff available to get them off of the plane, according to the Travel Noire.
Earlier this month, New York Attorney General Letitia James insisted that the DOT to take action against the abundance of airline delays and cancellations.
“Airlines knowingly advertising and booking flights they do not have the adequate staff to operate are flying in the face of the law,” said James in her statement. “Travelers are forced to miss important events, pay more, or change their entire travel plan because airlines are failing at their most basic function.
With staffing shortages and a variety of inconveniences that leave travelers stranded, this DOT dashboard could be some good news for the customer to regain control of their experience.
