Restore Airline Compensation: End Airline Lobby’s Control Over Passenger Rights

I demand immediate action to protect consumers from airline industry abuse. The Trump Administration just revoked compensation rules that require airlines to pay $200-$775 when they cause flight delays or cancellations. This decision puts airline profits ahead of the American people you swore to serve. Sean Duffy, our Transportation Secretary, previously lobbied for the airline industry. This blatant conflict of interest explains why Airlines for America, the industry’s main lobbying group, filed a 93-page request in May asking the Department of Transportation to eliminate consumer protections. They got exactly what they paid for. The financial facts are clear. US airlines generated $6.7 billion in net profits during 2024 alone, with industry revenues approaching $1 trillion globally (IATA, 2025). American Airlines reported record revenue of $54.2 billion in 2024. These companies can and should compensate passengers for their operational failures. When airlines in Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom face similar compensation requirements, they manage to remain profitable while treating customers fairly. Right now, if an airline cancels your flight due to crew problems or maintenance issues, you get nothing except the runaround. Airlines pocket billions while families sleep on airport floors and miss weddings, funerals, and business meetings. Other countries protect their citizens, and we should too. The industry received $54 billion in taxpayer bailouts during COVID-19. Now they refuse basic accountability to the people who saved them. Airlines for America is celebrating the elimination of passenger protections while demanding more deregulation. This corporate capture of our government must end. I urge you to introduce legislation immediately that requires airlines to compensate passengers $300 for delays of 3-6 hours, $500 for delays of 6-9 hours, and $800 for delays over 9 hours when the airline is at fault. Include mandatory coverage for meals, hotels, and rebooking. Make refunds automatic within 24 hours, not the current seven-day requirement. We will not stand by while airlines take advantage of our people with government blessing. Act now to restore fairness in air travel! You work for us, not the airlines.