Changes in leadership at the White House can significantly alter the government’s operation. Under President Biden, the Department of Transportation introduced various consumer protections, such as automatic refunds for canceled flights and policies ensuring family seating. They also increased enforcement against airlines violating their own regulations.

As preparations begin for another Trump presidential term, air travelers may be concerned about the future of recently adopted regulations. While Republican administrations typically advocate for reduced government oversight, experts suggest there is no certainty the Trump administration will eliminate these consumer-friendly policies, which have been positively received across the political spectrum. Even if the next Transportation Secretary aims to roll back these regulations, accomplishing that may not be straightforward.

“There’s a significant difference between advocating for a new regulation and attempting to reverse an existing one. I would warn anyone considering rolling back the automatic refunds policy,” stated William J. McGee, aviation and travel expert at the American Economic Liberties Project, in an interview with YSL News. “Once established, there could be a common belief that reversing these policies is as easy as signing a document, but that is not the case, especially if Congress has legislated them.”

Many of the newly established air traveler protections are mandated by Congress, particularly through the recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation, which received bipartisan approval in both legislative chambers.

Here’s an overview of some recent and proposed airline regulations:

• Automatic refunds for canceled and delayed flights: This requirement was introduced by the FAA reauthorization and was fully in effect by October 28.
• Free adjacent seating for families: While the Transportation Department has yet to finalize this policy, it is included in the FAA reauthorization, meaning the incoming administration may need to complete the ongoing process.
• Increased transparency regarding extra fees: This rule was finalized in April, but airlines challenged the Transportation Department’s proposal in May.

McGee noted that the automatic refund policy will face its first major challenge during this upcoming winter holiday season and is likely to gain popularity among travelers quickly.

“Customers are now aware of this policy,” he mentioned. “I would caution those wanting to remove it, as they will encounter substantial opposition—not just from consumer advocates, but from the general public.”