First, the Feds Fined JetBlue for Chronic Flight Delays

The U.S. Department of Transportation is fining JetBlue $2 million for chronically late flights, the first time the agency has financially penalized a company for consistently missing its schedules.

Between June 2022 and November 2023, the DOT found that four of the airline’s total trips were at least 30 minutes later than half the flight time for at least four consecutive months, a violation of the agency’s rules that prohibit airlines from advertising. incorrect and unrealistic travel schedules. The flights in question were between New York City and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida; New York City and Fort Lauderdale; and Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

“Irregular chronic flight delays make flying unsafe for travelers. Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. statement. “The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or unrealistic scheduling practices to protect healthy competition and ensure passengers are treated fairly.”

Based on data provided by JetBlue, the DOT estimated that the airline itself was responsible for more than 70 percent of the four flight delays.

The fine is a reduction for JetBlue, which had $2.4 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2024.

Half of the $2 million the airline must pay will go to the U.S. Treasury in cash, while the DOT ordered the company to pay the other half to customers affected by the related delays, who will each receive at least $75.

JetBlue agreed to the deal but made no commitments. The company said the “main reason” for the delays was staffing and operational issues with air traffic control systems in the Northeast.

“JetBlue has invested tens of millions of dollars in systems and process improvements to address air traffic management issues… These past and ongoing efforts have been reflected in the large and continuous improvement in JetBlue’s operations over the past two years. The flights in question took place,” the company wrote in response to the DOT’s consent order.

In announcing the settlement with JetBlue, the DOT also highlighted other recent achievements in regulating the airline industry. Under the Biden administration, the agency said it has fined airlines nearly $225 million for violating consumer rights, tripling the amount of fines it issued between 1996 and 2022.