The U.S. Department of Transportation has fined JetBlue Airways $2 million for operating flights that were consistently delayed, marking the department’s first-ever penalty against an airline for setting unrealistic schedules. The fine targets flights that frequently arrived over 30 minutes late for several months. The Department of Transportation argues that this practice misleads passengers and harms competition in the airline industry. An investigation found that JetBlue operated four flights with chronic delays at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented that chronic delays undermine the reliability of air travel. He emphasized that the department expects airlines to set realistic schedules and will take action against those that engage in such practices, aiming to ensure fair treatment of passengers and maintain healthy competition in the industry.
JetBlue’s delayed routes included flights between New York’s JFK Airport and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, as well as services connecting Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Orlando, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and JFK.
As part of the penalty, JetBlue is required to pay $1 million to the U.S. Treasury and allocate the other $1 million to reimburse passengers. Customers will be given a minimum of $75 if their future JetBlue flights are delayed by three hours or more within the next year.
JetBlue expressed appreciation for the importance of timely arrivals to its customers and emphasized its commitment to operating flights as scheduled. In a statement, the airline acknowledged the settlement addressing delays on four specific routes in 2022 and 2023. However, JetBlue also pointed out that ensuring reliable air travel is a shared responsibility, highlighting the role of the U.S. government in managing the air traffic control (ATC) system. The airline called for modernization of the nation’s ATC technology and addressing staffing shortages to reduce delays affecting millions of travelers annually.
Additionally, JetBlue noted that it has invested tens of millions of dollars over the past two years to minimize flight delays, particularly those caused by ongoing ATC challenges in key markets like the Northeast and Florida.
This enforcement action is part of a wider effort by the Biden administration to address airline practices. The Transportation Department has introduced new regulations aimed at enhancing passenger protections, such as automatic cash refunds for major delays and a ban on unexpected extra fees. Additionally, the department is investigating other airlines for similar scheduling issues.