# Airline Refunds and Other Consumer Protections

**Action Urgency Score:** 55/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Transportation Department; Office of the Secretary |
| Type | Final rule |
| Action | Notification of enforcement discretion. |
| Published | 2026-07-07 |
| Significant | Yes (EO 12866) |
| CFR parts | 14 CFR 260, 14 CFR 399 |
| Summary | The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is extending its current enforcement discretion, announced on December 5, 2025, regarding specific refund regulations. Under current regulations, a flight assigned a different flight number than was active at the time of ticket purchase is considered a "cancelled flight," making the consumer eligible for a prompt refund and related notifications. The Department is extending its discretion to not enforce these requirements for renumbered flights, provided that the passenger is rebooked on a flight with a new number and the flight operate |
| Document number | 2026-13675 |

## Why this score
- Significant rule under EO 12866.
- Final rule.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/07/2026-13675/airline-refunds-and-other-consumer-protections). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.