A group of Democratic senators has introduced new legislation that would force airlines in the United States to provide cash compensation to passengers facing long flight delays or cancellations, marking a renewed push for stronger consumer protections in the aviation sector.

The proposal, known as the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, was unveiled by Senators Mark Kelly (Arizona), Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), and Ed Markey (Massachusetts), with support from more than a dozen additional Democratic lawmakers. The bill would mandate cash payments of USD 300 for delays exceeding three hours and USD 600 for delays of six hours or more.

In addition, the legislation requires the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to impose rules obligating airlines to compensate passengers for meals, hotel stays, and ground transportation when disruptions occur — regardless of the underlying cause.

“Flying is already stressful and expensive. Airlines have to be accountable when they cost the American people money and travelers are left stranded,” Senator Kelly said in a statement. He emphasized that the measure aims to ensure passengers are not forced to pay out of pocket for delays beyond their control.

The initiative comes shortly after the Trump administration withdrew a Biden-era proposal that would have required airlines to compensate passengers facing significant delays. That earlier plan included tiered payments ranging from USD 200 to USD 775, depending on the length of the delay.

Airlines for America, the main lobbying organization representing major U.S. carriers, supported the Trump administration’s withdrawal of the Biden plan, arguing that such requirements were “unnecessary,” “burdensome,” and exceeded the DOT’s regulatory authority.

However, supporters of the new bill say the proposed compensation structure would provide meaningful financial protection to travelers, especially amid increasingly common operational disruptions.

“This commonsense legislation holds airlines accountable and properly compensates passengers when their flight is delayed or canceled,” Senator Blumenthal said. “The Trump Administration’s senseless backtracking on airline passenger protections only serves the airline industry, padding their pocketbooks and leaving Americans stranded without help. With this act, we put the traveling public first.”

If approved, the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act would represent one of the most significant expansions of passenger rights in the U.S. commercial aviation industry in decades, aligning some American standards closer to those already enforced in regions such as the European Union.