Major US airlines have declined to boost travel benefits for military personnel, the United States’ Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, has confirmed in a statement. The move is seen as a new clash between the Biden administration and the airline industry, as Buttigieg had urged airlines in April this year to increase military benefits.
Earlier this year, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) launched a new “Support Our Troops” dashboard, designed to help US military service members and their immediate family gain easier access to travel benefits offered by the 10 largest US airlines.
However, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Airlines have officially declined to boost their benefits programme for military personnel, according to the DOT. On the other hand, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines have “stepped up their existing commitments in their Customer Service Plan for service members and their families”.
“As someone who often flew on military orders as an officer in the US Navy Reserve, I know the unique pressures our service members and their families can face when travelling”, Buttigieg said. “Service members and their families make extraordinary commitments and sacrifices for this country, and they deserve support and recognition whenever they fly.”
The commitments demanded by the DOT include four main benefits:
- Waiving of cancellation fees and ensuring full refunds for service members and accompanying family members who cancel travel plans due to a military order or directive (documentation may be required).
- Waiving change fees for service members and accompanying family members who reschedule flights due to a military order or directive (documentation may be required).
- Providing at least one free standard carry-on and at least two free standard checked bags for service members and their accompanying spouse and children with appropriate identification, such as a valid military ID.
- Ensuring the lowest fare for a flight for immediate family members to visit service members recently injured in the line of duty with supporting documentation.
