The fine will be split between the government and passengers.
JetBlue Airways will pay the first-ever penalty for delayed and cancelled flights.
The New York-based airline was recently placed under an investigation by the Department of Transportation over flights that were “chronically delayed” at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023.
The agency says it provided warnings to JetBlue about the delays, which occurred over five months, however the flight schedule continued, despite the repeated delays. As a result of the investigation, the government fined JetBlue $2 million.
“Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the agency’s release. “Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality.”
In response to the investigation and penalty, JetBlue says they “work very hard to operate flights as scheduled,” and directed attention towards the United States government instead.
“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,” a JetBlue spokesperson said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.
JetBlue claims that air traffic control staffing shortages and antiquated technology have hindered their ability to maintain on-time departures.
The investigation revealed the delays included flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and three cities: Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL), Orlando, FL (MCO) Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU). The agency also found delays between Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks, CT (BDL).
The penalty will be split in half, with $1 million distributed as compensation to affected passengers, and $1 million going to the United States Treasury. The DOT says it is investigating other airlines for similar unreliable scheduling practices. (https://www.travelandleisure.com/jetblue-delayed-flights-fine-usd2-million-passengers-8768705)
