New DOT Rule – Passenger Rights Summary
April 27, 2026
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On April 24, 2026, DOT published in the Federal Register the attached final rule requiring covered air carriers to submit to DOT and post to their websites a one-page summary of passenger rights (“Passenger Rights Summary”). This rule implements a requirement set forth in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, and as such, DOT issued this final rule without first providing the public with an opportunity to comment.
This rule will be incorporated into 14 CFR Part 259, which applies to all U.S. and foreign air carriers operating to, from or within the United States, conducting scheduled passenger service or public charter service with at least one aircraft having a designed seating capacity of 30 or more seats.
The Passenger Rights Summary must cover the carrier’s policies regarding:
- Rebooking options, refunds, meals, and lodging for flight delays of various lengths.
- Rebooking options, refunds, meals, and lodging for flight diversions.
- Rebooking options, refunds, meals, and lodging for flight cancellations.
- Compensation for mishandled baggage, including delayed, damaged, pilfered (stolen), or lost baggage.
- Voluntary relinquishment of a ticketed seat due to overbooking or priority of other passengers.
- Involuntary denial of boarding and forced removal for whatever reason, including for safety and security reasons.
This final rule becomes effective on May 26, 2026. As a result, carriers should be prepared to submit their Passenger Rights Summary to DOT by May 26, 2026. Please note, however, DOT will not begin accepting submissions until it publishes a separate notice announcing OMB approval and providing specific submission instructions. That notice is forthcoming and we will update you as soon as it is published.
Carriers must also be prepared to post their Passenger Rights Summary in a prominent location on their websites within 90 days of submitting the summary to DOT.
Carriers must ensure that their Passenger Rights Summary complies with existing DOT regulations, including those pertaining to oversales and automatic refunds for cancellations, significantly changed flights, and lost or significantly delayed baggage.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any question regarding this rule or would like us to assist you with drafting or reviewing your Passenger Rights Summary.
This Aviation Blog Post is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, Samantha Walter at 412.566.1920 or swalter@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
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