Airlines Get Extra Time Before Paying Up for Bumps and Bags
Published Date: 2/20/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly or ship bags in the U.S., listen up! The DOT is updating the rules on how much airlines pay if you get bumped or your bags get lost. Airlines have until March 20, 2025, before the new rules kick in, so expect some changes in your travel rights and possible payouts soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Changes to Denied Boarding Pay
The DOT finalized updates to how much airlines must pay if you are denied boarding on U.S. flights. The rule is in effect but the DOT will not begin enforcement action until March 20, 2025.
Revision of Baggage Liability Limits
The DOT finalized revisions to domestic baggage liability limits that determine how much airlines may owe if your checked bag is lost or damaged on U.S. flights. Enforcement of the final rule will not occur until March 20, 2025.
Enforcement Delay Until March 20, 2025
The Department of Transportation will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with this final rule until March 20, 2025. This delays formal enforcement of the new denied boarding and baggage liability requirements until that date.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15835, Accessible Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft and Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is extending its previously announced enforcement discretion for four provisions of the final rule on "Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs" (Wheelchair Rule I) related to airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs, refresher training frequency, pre-departure notifications, and fare difference reimbursements from December 31, 2026 to April 30, 2027. To maintain regulatory consistency, the Department is also expanding this enforcement discretion to include the 12-month hands-on training mandate for flight attendants regarding on-board wheelchair (OBW) assistance and lavatory accessibility in the final rule titled "Accessible Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft" (Accessible Lavatory Rule). These provisions will be formally addressed in an upcoming rulemaking titled "Airline Obligations to Accommodate Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs" (Wheelchair Rule II). This extension is necessary to allow sufficient time for the Department to review and analyze public comments, and to make final determinations regarding the content of the final rule. This exercise of enforcement discretion is intended to remove the burden of complying with the requirements under review by DOT and does not prejudge the outcome of the new rulemaking. This notice does not affect the enforcement of requirements in the Accessible Lavatory Rule other than the one identified.
2026-15529, Enhancing Flexibility of Air Fare Price Advertising
The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is extending the comment end date for interested persons to submit comments to its proposed rule on Enhancing Flexibility of Air Fare Price Advertising from July 31, 2026, to August 21, 2026.
2026-15585, Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 40002 of that law re-institutes the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority and specifically directs the Commission to complete a system of competitive bidding for not less than 100 megahertz in the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz band (Upper C- band). This final rule supports the Federal Communications Commission's July 2026 Report and Order that makes 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band available for terrestrial wireless flexible use via a system of competitive bidding. To ensure safe, efficient, and reliable aviation operations in the presence of wireless signals in the C-band, the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing new regulations that require all radio altimeters to meet specific minimum performance requirements. These new radio altimeters must withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands and continue to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems. These regulations require all aircraft equipped with radio altimeters operating under part 121 and those aircraft with radio altimeters operating under part 129 with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds to comply with the minimum performance requirements by December 30, 2030, which is prior to the date the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the use of the Upper C-band for new wireless services, as stated in its Report and Order. All other aircraft equipped with radio altimeters that are required to comply with part 91, including aircraft operating under parts 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 194, and all other aircraft operating under part 129 that are not subject to the initial deadline, must comply with the same minimum performance requirements on or before October 31, 2034.
2026-13805, Pipeline Safety: Repair Criteria for Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Pipelines
The government wants to update pipeline safety rules to make fixing gas and liquid pipelines smarter, safer, and cheaper. These changes affect pipeline operators who’ll use new tech and clearer guidelines to spot and repair problems faster. Comments are open until September 8, 2026, so get ready to weigh in before the rules get final—and yes, this could save money and prevent accidents!
2026-13675, Airline Refunds and Other Consumer Protections
If your flight gets a new flight number but still flies on time without big changes, airlines don’t have to treat it as canceled or give you a refund right away. This rule helps airlines and passengers by giving the government more time to update the official cancellation rules. This change affects anyone buying plane tickets and lasts until July 7, 2027.
2026-13450, Increasing Flexibility on Disclosure of Airline Ancillary Fees
The Department of Transportation is rolling back its 2024 rule about how airlines must share extra fees, like baggage or seat upgrades, with travelers. This change affects airlines and passengers by returning to the older 2011 rules for fee disclosure starting July 2, 2026. It means airlines have more flexibility in how they show these fees, and travelers might see less detailed info for now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: C1-2024-31223, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities Technology Review
Dry cleaning shops that use perchloroethylene, a chemical that can harm the air, need to follow updated rules to keep pollution low. The EPA fixed a date typo, confirming that the important deadline is January 7, 2025. These changes help protect the environment without adding extra costs or delays for businesses.
Next: 2025-02817, Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs
The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving airlines and airports extra time—until March 20, 2025—to fully follow new rules that make air travel safer and easier for travelers who use wheelchairs. This means better care and accommodations for people with disabilities, with no penalties until then. Everyone involved gets a fair chance to adjust without rushing or extra costs right away.