Over the past year, the airline industry has faced a major crackdown from the U.S. government over policies and practices that have increasingly frustrated consumers.
The issues facing airlines began when the Biden administration announced in October 2023 that it would examine so-called junk fees charged by airlines for services such as checking bags, choosing seats, and canceling or changing flights.
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The administration later finalized a rule in April last year that aims to protect travelers from surprise airline fees by requiring airlines to disclose critical extra fees upfront, end discount bait-and-switch tactics, and inform travelers that they are not required to purchase a seat assignment.
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Even after the new rule was finalized, the Biden administration is still narrowing in on airlines that have recently negatively affected consumers, and JetBlue (JBLU) is its latest target.
JetBlue faces fine for a frustrating issue
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) just fined JetBlue $2 million for “operating multiple chronically delayed flights,” according to a new press release. This is the first time the department has fined an airline for chronic flight delays.
The fine comes after the transportation department discovered that between June 2022 through November 2023 JetBlue operated four “chronically delayed flights” at least 145 times. Investigators found that each flight was delayed “for five straight months in a row – or more.”
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The delayed flights were between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Orlando, Florida; JFK and Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
The transportation department further noted that the airline was responsible for over 70% of the disruptions on the four routes.
“Regardless of the cause of the disruption for any specific flight, DOT rules provide airlines adequate time to fix their schedule after a flight becomes chronically delayed to avoid illegal unrealistic scheduling. JetBlue failed to do so,” said the department in the press release.
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Half of the $2 million collected will be used to compensate JetBlue customers who were affected by the airline’s chronic delays and to pay for any future disruptions caused by the airline within the next year.
The department also warned that it has ongoing investigations into other airlines for “unrealistic flight schedules.”
“Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a press release. “Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality.”
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In response to the $2 million fine, JetBlue said in an emailed statement to TheStreet that the incoming presidential administration should “prioritize modernizing outdated ATC technology and addressing chronic air traffic controller staffing shortages” to help reduce travel delays.
“While we’ve reached a settlement to resolve this matter regarding four flights in 2022 and 2023, we believe accountability for reliable air travel equally lies with the U.S. government, which operates our nation’s air traffic control system,” said JetBlue in its statement.
JetBlue recently received harsh reviews from consumers
The move from the department comes after JetBlue recently faced criticism from consumers for having flight delays.
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In 2023, The Wall Street Journal even ranked JetBlue last on its airline scorecard claiming that it finished last in four categories: “on-time arrivals, canceled flights, delays longer than 45 minutes and tarmac delays.”
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