One of the trickiest parts of planning a trip to Disney World (or anywhere) is the travel.

Finding flights that fit your plans, budget, and needs can be challenging. The actual day of flying can even be super stressful. It can be a lot to handle — getting to the airport on time, checking bags, getting through security, finding your gate, and just hoping your flight is on time. Fortunately, a new law was recently passed that will help alleviate SOME of the stress of delayed and canceled flights.

Sitting at an airport hoping that your flight to your destination (Disney World or elsewhere) is on time can be very nerve-wracking. You paid a lot for that ticket and the vacation you’re on your way to. Having your flight delayed can derail all your plans and cost you even more money, especially if you end up needing to pay for a hotel, fees on rental cars, etc. Even if it’s not within the control of the airline, delays and cancellations can be frustrating.

Well, now, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has ruled that airlines must promptly provide automatic cash refunds to passengers for canceled flights, significant changes to flights, significantly delayed checked bags, or “fail to provide the extra service they purchased.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared this comment, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling. Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.” 

Before this new law, airlines were able to set their own standard of when to issue refunds, and they could use travel vouchers or credits instead of cash. The process to receive the refund was also likely to be complicated and cumbersome. Now, the new rule sets the standard that refunds must be automatic, prompt, cash or original form of payment, and the full amount.

Part of the law states that passengers are entitled to refunds for canceled or significantly changed flights. “Significantly changed flights” include delays of more than 3 hours for domestic flights and 6 hours for international. Other significant changes are also now defined by the new rule such as departures or arrivals from a different airport, increases in the number of connections, downgrades in service, and more.

If you can’t keep track of all the reasons you are warranted a refund, don’t worry! The rule also requires airlines to promptly notify you of your right to a refund for a canceled or significantly changed flight as well as any other related policies.

There is also a communicable disease stipulation in the new law. If you are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel within or out of the U.S. because of a serious communicable disease, the airline must provide travel credits or vouchers. However, you may be required to provide documentation.

This new law follows other recent legal updates regarding airline policies. Flying is becoming easier to navigate and more accessible for travelers. Hopefully, getting to Disney World will be a little less stressful!

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