Sponsors (14)
The bill speeds and clarifies refunds and accountability for air travelers, but its benefits can be undercut if carriers delay transfers and the short payout window may strain ticket agents' cash flow, potentially increasing costs for consumers.
Airline passengers: refunds should arrive faster because ticket agents are required to pay customers within 7 days after receiving carrier funds, shortening customer wait times for refunds.
Airline passengers and ticket agents: clearer rules on ticket agent vs. carrier responsibilities reduce disputes and improve consistency of customer service.
Airline passengers: refunds can still be delayed if carriers hold or delay transferring funds to ticket agents, because the 7‑day payout requirement applies after agents receive carrier payments.
Ticket agents and small travel businesses: the strict 7‑day payout window may create cash‑flow and administrative burdens that could raise fees or operational costs passed on to consumers or agents.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires ticket agents to pay passenger refunds within 7 days after receiving refund funds transferred by the carrier; replaces “promptly” with a defined timing rule.
Sets a clear deadline for refunds when flights are cancelled, significantly delayed, or materially changed and clarifies ticket agent responsibilities. Replaces the prior vague requirement that refunds be provided “promptly” with a specific rule tying ticket-agent refund payments to a 7‑day window after the agent receives transferred funds from the carrier.
Official title: To amend title 49, United States Code, to require air carriers to transfer funds to a ticket agent for cancelled or significantly delayed or changed flights within the time required for air carriers and ticket agents to provide refunds to passengers, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 23, 2025 by Maria Elvira Salazar · Last progress September 23, 2025