US DOT reminds passengers Southwest Airlines must compensate them for 2022 holiday meltdown

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has reminded air passengers that from April 30, Southwest Airlines customers must compensate them with a transferrable voucher worth at least $75 for any controllable cancellation or delay that causes passengers to reach their destination three or more hours after their scheduled arrival time. Southwest is required to provide this compensation as part of DOT's recent enforcement action holding the airline accountable for its 2022 holiday meltdown that stranded millions of passengers across the US. ""After the 2022 holiday meltdown, our department held Southwest Airlines accountable—and now the airline is required to compensate passengers for lengthy delays and cancellations that they cause,"" said US transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg. ""We're pleased to bring these benefits to passengers, and further show the flying public that the Biden-Harris Administration has their back."" According to Reuters, the airline claimed it had quietly launched the compensation program on April 16. As per the agreement, Southwest has created a form for passengers to request compensation. The DOT said it would be closely monitoring the airline's compensation to program, ensuring passengers receive the vouchers they are due.