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JetBlue Fined $2 Million by DOT for Chronically Delayed Flights, First Penalty of Its Kind; Passengers to Receive Compensation

Jan 3, 2025, 02:32 PM

JetBlue Airways has been fined $2 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for operating multiple chronically delayed flights, marking the first penalty of its kind. The DOT found that JetBlue operated at least four flights that were delayed at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023, affecting thousands of passengers. These flights included routes between John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, as well as between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in Florida, and between JFK and Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Half of the fine will be used to compensate JetBlue customers affected by these delays or any future disruptions within the next year, with each affected passenger receiving at least a $75 voucher. The DOT emphasized that such chronic delays make flying unreliable for travelers and put the airline industry on notice to ensure flight schedules reflect reality. JetBlue has responded by stating it has invested tens of millions of dollars to reduce flight delays and urged the incoming administration to modernize air traffic control systems to improve reliability. From January through September 2024, JetBlue ranked ninth out of ten U.S. airlines in on-time arrivals, with 71.3% of flights arriving on time.