Sponsors (12)
The bill makes refunds more predictable and clarifies who is responsible for issuing them, improving outcomes for many passengers, but the benefit can be undermined by carrier payment delays and may impose cash‑flow or cost burdens on ticket agents that could be passed to consumers.
Airline passengers will typically receive refunds more predictably and faster because ticket agents are required to remit refunds within 7 days after receiving carrier funds, reducing wait times for travelers.
Consumers and regulators get clearer rules because the bill clarifies the respective responsibilities of ticket agents and carriers, which should reduce disputes and improve consistency of customer service.
Airline passengers can still face delays because the 7‑day refund requirement begins only after ticket agents receive funds from carriers, so carrier delays in transmitting money can push refunds out past the intended timeframe.
Ticket agents—especially small agencies—may incur cash‑flow and administrative burdens to meet the 7‑day payout window, which could lead to higher fees or operational costs that are passed on to consumers or harm small‑business owners.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Sets a 7-day deadline for ticket agents to remit refunds after receiving transferred refund funds from the air carrier and replaces a vague "promptly" standard.
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
Requires ticket agents and air carriers to provide refunds on canceled, significantly delayed, or changed flights within a specific timeframe: ticket agents must pay refunds to passengers within 7 days after the agent receives the carrier’s transferred refund funds. The bill replaces a vague “promptly” standard with a concrete deadline tied to receipt of transferred funds and clarifies ticket agent responsibilities for refund timing. Affects ticket agents, air carriers (including foreign air carriers), and passengers by creating a precise, 7-day payment window for agents after funds are received from the carrier, and by aligning the carrier refund timing language with existing statutory subsections.