Airlines

These are US airlines that have suspended flights to Israel until early December

Following the weekend, attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, several airlines have halted or canceled flights to Israel. In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has begun a military offensive in Gaza, killing almost 1,600 people on both sides.

American Airlines is the most recent airline to extend flight cuts as Israeli officials have warned of a protracted battle, and it won’t fly to Tel Aviv again until at least December 5.

American Airlines offering daily flights to Tel Aviv from Miami(Opens in a new browser tab)

Due to several airlines suspending or drastically reducing their schedules, there is now less air service into and out of the country. Delta Air Lines announced Monday that it will suspend flights to Tel Aviv until the end of the month.

United Airlines has stated that its flights to Tel Aviv will be suspended “until conditions allow them to resume.” El Al, an Israeli airline, continues to travel between the United States and Israel.

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Additionally, Amid the conflict, airlines in Europe and Asia took various measures to address the situation. They postponed flights and offered refunds, while also waiving rebooking fees for travelers affected by the disruptions.

Following consultations with both the French and Israeli governments, Air France made the decision to halt its operations in Tel Aviv “until further notice.” Furthermore, several other airlines, including Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air India, Lufthansa, EasyJet, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Korean Air, and Turkish Airlines, also canceled their flights to and from Tel Aviv in response to the ongoing circumstances.

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Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.