Choices for Stranded Passengers Act of 2023

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require air carriers to provide passengers experiencing a delay or cancellation with alternative transportation on another air carrier. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Choices for Stranded Passengers Act of 2023 2. Provision of alternative air carrier transportation for delays or cancellations (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 417 41727. Provision of alternative air carrier transportation for delays or cancellations (a) Alternative transportation An air carrier or foreign air carrier shall provide a passenger on scheduled air transportation in an aircraft designed for 31 passenger seats or greater whose flight experiences a controllable significant delay or cancellation with alternate transportation on another air carrier or foreign air carrier at no additional charge in any case in which the passenger would reach the originally ticketed destination earlier than on— (1) the ticketed flight; or (2) another flight provided by the air carrier or foreign air carrier. (b) Exclusions Subsection (a) shall not apply if the ticketed passenger voluntarily chooses— (1) alternative ground transportation, provided at no additional charge by the applicable air carrier or foreign air carrier; or (2) if such passenger chooses not to travel to the originally ticketed destination, a full cash refund for the ticket, including any ancillary fees, paid promptly, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Passenger rights Air carriers, foreign air carriers, and ticket agents shall ensure that the rights of a passenger pursuant to this section are— (1) clear and conspicuous to the passenger at the time of booking; and (2) in the case of an air carrier or foreign air carrier, in written communication at the time a flight experiences a controllable significant delay or cancellation. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Controllable significant delay or cancellation The term controllable significant delay or cancellation (2) Significant delay In this section, the term significant delay (A) in the case of air transportation within the United States, by 3 or more hours; or (B) in the case of air transportation to or from a location outside the United States, by 6 or more hours. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for subchapter I of chapter 417 41727. Provision of alternative air carrier transportation for delays or cancellations. .

Summary: Choices for Stranded Passengers Act of 2023 This bill requires air carriers (including foreign air carriers) that cause a significant flight delay or cancellation to provide, in certain circumstances, passengers with alternative transportation. For the purposes of this bill, a domestic flight is considered significantly delayed when the departure or arrival has changed by three or more hours; an international flight to or from the United States is significantly delayed at six or more hours. Further, a qualifying flight is a scheduled flight in an aircraft designed for 31 passenger seats or more. Under the bill, an air carrier that has caused a significant delay or cancellation to a qualifying flight must provide a passenger with an alternative flight on another air carrier at no additional charge if that alternative flight would arrive at the destination before the original flight or before another flight by the original air carrier. This requirement does not apply if the passenger voluntarily chooses (1) to accept alternative ground transportation, provided at no additional charge by the air carrier; or (2) not to travel to the original destination and the air carrier promptly provides a full cash refund for the ticket cost and fees. Passengers must be informed of their rights under this bill when booking a ticket and at the time such a delay or cancellation occurs.