Pete Buttigieg announces a major upgrade for airline passengers

Out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made a major announcement that will upgrade air travel for Americans.

The Biden administration has cracked down on hidden fees from businesses, and the new rules continue that trend. Airlines are now required to disclose extra costs for baggage or canceling tickets, but the biggest change involves canceled or severely delayed flights.

Related: Joe Biden gave Pete Buttigieg the best birthday present ever

“Pete turned 30 today,” Biden joked of the youngest member of his Cabinet.

Buttigieg has implemented sweeping changes to improve passengers’ experience and hold airlines accountable for poor service, including record-breaking fines for multiple meltdowns by companies that canceled flights for millions of Americans, and the latest upgrade will no doubt be welcomed with open arms.

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Currently, the Transportation Authority’s website assists passengers with getting required compensation for missing luggage, canceled or delayed flights, and other issues. Passengers are also now allowed to demand that the company compensate them before leaving the airport or at least begin the process.

But airlines have skirted the issue by offering customers travel vouchers for another flight in the future; in most cases, the vouchers have an expiration date. The new changes will require the airlines to give passengers an automatic cash refund.

“No more having to fend for yourself and jump through hoops to get your money back,” Buttigieg wrote in a post on X. “Airlines will have to automatically do this.”

“I love this kind of gov action,” one user replied. “If a market place is demystified and made as transparent as possible, people can make wiser choices more aligned with their interests. We currently live in a vampire economy…”

“Pete Buttigieg proudly announces new rules to protect airline passengers from hidden fees. Now you can sit back, relax, and watch the airline industry sweat as they’re forced to give refunds faster than you can say ‘delayed flight’,” another added.

While reaction to the new rules were positive, several users also praised Buttigieg specifically for his role in improving customer service as well as safety concerns.

“Thank you, @SecretaryPete. You are doing a fabulous job in your position and I love watching you in action,” one person responded. “We can tell how serious and committed to the country you are. Keep up the great job!”

Our department just issued rules to protect people from hidden airline fees and to require airlines to give passengers automatic cash refunds when owed. No more having to fend for yourself and jump through hoops to get your money back—airlines will have to automatically do this. pic.twitter.com/Jv7dFmnNkI

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) April 24, 2024 Don't forget to share: