The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced the issuance of a final rule[1], effective May 26, 2026, requiring covered air carriers[2] to prepare and submit a one-page passenger rights summary (a “Passenger Rights Summary”) addressing key disruption-related topics. The final rule implements Section 429 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

Under the rule, covered air carriers must create and post a one-page document summarizing passenger rights in the following areas:

• Compensation with respect to rebooking options, refunds, meals, and lodging in instances of (i) flight delays of various lengths, (ii) flight diversions, and (iii) flight cancellations.
• Compensation for mishandled baggage (including delayed, damaged, pilfered, or lost baggage).
• Voluntary relinquishment of a ticketed seat due to overbooking or priority of other passengers.
• Involuntary denial of boarding and forced removal for whatever reason, including for safety and security reasons.

The DOT additionally recommends covered air carriers prepare the Passenger Rights Summary as a “concise, user-friendly” document and consider making the one-pager available in a location that is highly visible to the general public.

Although the final rule becomes effective May 26, 2026, covered air carriers will not be required to submit the Passenger Rights Summary until the DOT publishes a subsequent notice in the Federal Register announcing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information collection established by the rule. After submission, covered air carriers must prominently display the Passenger Rights Summary on their websites within 90 days.

[1] USCODE-2024-title49-subtitleVII-partA-subpartii-chap417-subchapI-sec41727.pdf

[2] Section 401 of the 2018 FAA Act defines the term “covered air carrier” for its purposes as an air carrier or foreign air carrier as those terms are defined by 49 U.S.C. 40102.