The U.S. Department of Transportation has finalized a new rule requiring airlines to provide passengers with a clear, one-page summary of compensation and customer service policies when travel disruptions occur.
Published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026, the rule takes effect May 26, 2026, and requires covered airlines to submit the summary to DOT before posting it prominently on their websites within 90 days.
The document must outline passenger rights and airline obligations in six areas: flight delays, diversions, cancellations, mishandled baggage, voluntary seat relinquishment due to overbooking and involuntary denied boarding.
The rule implements Section 429 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, legislation intended to make airline compensation and refund policies more transparent after years of being embedded in lengthy contracts of carriage.
However, airlines will not be required to comply until DOT completes a separate approval process under the Paperwork Reduction Act and publishes a follow-up Federal Register notice confirming approval from the Office of Management and Budget. Once finalized, airlines will have 90 days to post the disclosures.