JetBlue slapped with landmark fine for chronic flight delays
January 7, 2025
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a landmark $2 million penalty against JetBlue for operating what it terms “multiple chronically delayed flights,” marking the first time it has levied such a fine and representing what US transport secretary Pete Buttigeg described as a warning to others. “Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travellers. Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality,” he explained.
Criticising the “prohibited unrealistic scheduling practice which can harm both passengers and fair competition across the airline industry,” the DOT has taken action against JetBlue after investigation revealed repeated evidence of unrealistic flight scheduling times – with four “chronically delayed flights” operated at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023.
Under DOT rules, a flight is chronically delayed if it is flown at least ten times a month and arrives more than 30 minutes late more than 50% percent of the time (a calculation that regards cancellations as delays). Of JetBlue’s four offending flights, each was chronically delayed for five straight consecutive months or more – with the airline continuing to operate three more chronically delayed services despite having received a DOT warning.
Based off of data submitted to DOT by JetBlue, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates that the carrier was responsible for over 70% of the disruptions to the first four initial flights flagged up, with the airline failing to meet its obligation to amend its timetable to “avoid illegal unrealistic scheduling”.
With JetBlue now ordered to “cease and desist its chronic flight delays,” half of the $2 million penalty will be recovered by the US Treasury, while the remainder will be set aside as compensation – either to passengers already affected by JetBlue’s chronically delayed flights, or any future cancellations or delays of three hours or more within the next year. Future compensation will be valued at a minimum of $75 per passenger.
JetBlue has been approached for comment.
