JetBlue Airways has been hit with a hefty $2 million fine by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for persistent flight delays plaguing its network. Despite being recognized as one of the ‘Best Airlines in 2024’ in a survey by US travel website WalletHub, JetBlue found itself in hot water with the DOT for accounting for 70% of its chronically delayed flights during the review period.

The DOT crackdown on JetBlue follows a meticulous examination of the carrier’s operations dating back to 2022, exposing repeated and extended delays on certain routes, particularly prevalent on the US East Coast. Flights such as New York-JFK to destinations like Raleigh-Durham, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, were among those repeatedly affected. These chronic delays, classed as flights arriving more than 30 minutes late over 50% of the time, have been deemed as a form of unrealistic scheduling by the DOT.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of ensuring airlines adhere to realistic flight schedules to uphold safe and dependable air travel services. He remarked, “Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers. The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or unrealistic scheduling practices.”

JetBlue, while agreeing to a settlement with the DOT, expressed a belief that accountability for reliable air travel should also be shared by the US government, pointing to challenges within the nation’s air traffic control system. The airline highlighted its efforts to mitigate delays through significant investments but acknowledged that more work is needed to rectify the issue.

As a part of the resolution, JetBlue is obligated to compensate affected passengers with a portion of the fine. Half of the $2 million fine will be directed to the US Treasury, while the remaining half will be dispersed among passengers impacted by the chronic delays observed in 2022 and 2023. Passengers delayed for at least three hours on future chronically delayed flights will be entitled to a minimum compensation of $75 per affected flight.

Looking ahead, other US airlines may soon face similar penalties for failing to meet realistic scheduling standards, as the DOT aims to crack down on practices that compromise punctuality and passenger experience in the aviation industry.