The U.S. Department of Transportation is taking strict measures against airlines that consistently fail to maintain punctual flight schedules. In a recent enforcement action, Denver-based Frontier Airlines received a $650,000 penalty for repeatedly delayed flights during 2022 and 2023. The airline faces an immediate fine of $325,000, with the remaining amount potentially waived if significant
improvements are demonstrated over the next three years.
The DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection branch identified three problematic routes operated by Frontier, including services between Atlanta and Phoenix, as well as Orlando to Houston. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that airlines must ensure their schedules provide realistic arrival and departure times for travelers.
In a separate action, the DOT filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines in Oakland’s U.S. District Court. The case centers on three routes, including two between Chicago’s Midway International Airport and Oakland, California, and another connecting Baltimore to Cleveland. These flights experienced more than 180 delays between April and August 2022, with Southwest being responsible for 90% of the delays on these routes.
The Department defines a chronically delayed flight as one operating more than 10 times monthly that arrives over 30 minutes late at least half the time. Under current regulations, flights are considered on time if they arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Unlike the European Union, where airlines must compensate passengers for delays exceeding two hours, U.S. carriers are not required to provide compensation for inconvenience caused by delays.
Southwest responded to the lawsuit by expressing disappointment in the DOT’s decision to pursue legal action over incidents from two years ago, noting that they had successfully operated millions of other flights during the same period. Frontier, meanwhile, has remained silent regarding their penalty.
The difference in approach between the two cases – with Southwest facing a lawsuit while Frontier received a fine – stems from Frontier’s decision to accept the penalty without admitting
responsibility, thereby avoiding litigation. This enforcement action follows a recent $2 million fine imposed on JetBlue Airways for four chronically delayed flights between June 2022 and November 2023.
Secretary Buttigieg’s statement emphasized that the Department is prepared to pursue legal action to enforce passenger protections, indicating a broader crackdown on airlines that fail to maintain reliable schedules. The DOT’s lawsuit against Southwest specifically criticizes the airline’s choice to continue marketing flights with unrealistic schedules rather than making necessary adjustments when patterns of delays become apparent.
This regulatory enforcement reflects increasing pressure on airlines to improve their operational reliability and maintain more accurate scheduling practices. The action demonstrates the government’s commitment to holding carriers accountable for their performance and protecting consumer interests in air travel. Through these penalties and legal actions, the DOT aims to encourage airlines to be more proactive in addressing systematic delays and ensuring their published schedules accurately reflect realistic flight times.