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The following traffic incidents and congestion for M1 have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

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The following roadworks have been reported by various highways agencies and official transport sources.Click on a roadworks item to view more details on the traffic map.

The M1 motorway is a major motorway in the United Kingdom that connects London to Leeds and is approximately 226 miles long. It was the first inter-city motorway to be built in the UK and was opened in1959.

Since its opening, the M1 motorway has seen over 8 billion vehicles passing through it and has become an important route for commercial vehicles and freight.

Safety on the M1 motorway has improved significantly over the years. In 2006, the M1 motorway had the lowest total number of casualties among all the motorways in the UK. In 2019, the number of fatalities on the M1 motorway was a third of what it had been in 2006. This suggests that the M1 motorway is becoming increasingly safe for motorists. The number of recorded accidents has also fallen. In 2019, there were 535 accidents involving injury, a reduction of almost 4% compared to the previous year.

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M1 Traffic Delays. Live Updates. Avoid Roadworks Congestion

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Latest m1 accident updates, northbound m1 roadworks and delays, m1 northbound within j28 | northbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 northbound between j28 and j29 | northbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 northbound between j29a and j30 | northbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 northbound within j34 | northbound | road works | sheffield district, m1 northbound within j35 | northbound | road works | sheffield district, m1 j35 northbound exit | northbound | road works | sheffield district, m1 j14 northbound exit | northbound | road works | milton keynes, m1 northbound between j14 and j15 | northbound | road works | milton keynes, m1 j21 northbound exit | northbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 northbound between j23a and j24 | northbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 northbound within j23a | northbound | road works | leicestershire, link road from m1 j23a to a453 northbound | northbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 northbound within j10 | northbound | road works | bedfordshire, m1 j24 northbound access | northbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 j25 northbound exit | northbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 northbound between j24a and j25 | northbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 northbound within j25 | northbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 northbound between j35a and j36 | northbound | road works | barnsley district, m1 j33 northbound exit | northbound | road works | rotherham district, m1 northbound between j47 and j48 | northbound | road works | leeds district, m1 northbound between j13 and j14 | northbound | road works | milton keynes, m1 northbound within j11 | northbound | road works | luton, m1 northbound between j10 and j11 | northbound | road works | luton, m1 northbound within j12 | northbound | road works | bedfordshire, m1 northbound between j12 and j13 | northbound | road works | bedfordshire, m1 northbound between j11 and j11a | northbound | road works | luton, m1 northbound within j11a | northbound | road works | luton, m1 northbound between j11a and j12 | northbound | road works | luton, m1 northbound between j21 and j21a | northbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 northbound between j18 and j19 | northbound | road works | northamptonshire, m1 northbound within j30 | northbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 j11 northbound exit | northbound | road works | luton, southbound m1 roadworks and delays, m1 southbound between j40 and j39 | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 southbound between j29 and j28 | southbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 southbound within j29a | southbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 southbound within j24 | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 j24 southbound access | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 j24 southbound exit | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 j24a southbound exit | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 j25 southbound access | southbound | road works | derbyshire, m1 southbound between j24a and j24 | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 southbound between j15 and j14 | southbound | road works | milton keynes, m1 southbound between j33 and j32 | southbound | road works | rotherham district, m1 j33 southbound exit | southbound | road works | rotherham district, m1 southbound between j46 and j45 | southbound | road works | leeds district, m1 j11a southbound exit | southbound | road works | luton, m1 southbound within j21 | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 southbound between j17 and j16 | southbound | road works | northamptonshire, m1 j34 southbound access | southbound | road works | sheffield district, m1 southbound between j34 and j33 | southbound | road works | sheffield district, m1 j40 southbound exit | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 j39 southbound exit | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 j40 southbound access | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 j39 southbound access | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 southbound within j39 | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 southbound between j39 and j38 | southbound | road works | wakefield district, m1 j21 southbound access | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 southbound between j21a and j21 | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 southbound between j21 and j20 | southbound | road works | leicestershire, m1 southbound between j45 and j44 | southbound | road works | leeds district, m1 southbound between j27 and j26 | southbound | road works | nottinghamshire, m1 j8 southbound access | southbound | road works | hertfordshire, m1 southbound between j35 and j34 | southbound | road works | sheffield district, m1 southbound within j33 | southbound | road works | rotherham district, traffic flow map.

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Major Road Headlines

• link road from M5 northbound to M6 J8 northbound | Northbound | Accident | Sandwell District 3rd May 2024
• link road from M5 northbound to M6 J8 northbound | Northbound | Congestion | Sandwell District 3rd May 2024
• M26 westbound between J2A and M25/A21 | Westbound | Congestion | Kent 3rd May 2024
• M11 southbound within J14 (after access to A1307) | Southbound | Congestion | Cambridgeshire 3rd May 2024
• M4 eastbound at the Heston services between J3 and J2 | Eastbound | Congestion | Greater London Authority 3rd May 2024
• A38 southbound between B6179 and A61 near Derby | Southbound | Congestion | Derbyshire 3rd May 2024

The latest traffic reports, roadworks and travel news for major roads in England. Please always drive safely and do not use a mobile device while in charge of a vehicle.

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Please Leave a Comment

5 thoughts on “m1 traffic delays. live updates. avoid roadworks congestion”.

8/2/2/22 @ 11:00 M1 southbound j15 delays due to Broken down lorry

M1 south – J27 – J26 – traffic at a standstill

What are the predictions for transport between Nottingham and Leeds tomorrow [Nov 13 2021] ? I am travelling by National Express, the coach is supposed to leave Notts at 3 15 and arrive in Leeds at 5 45, and the concert I’m attending starts [as in band onstage] at 7pm. I need to make sure I’m not going to be delayed.

Why is the page still displaying only 90 mins delays on M1 Jnc 14-15 ? We have been stuck for 2.5 hours and need to know how long we will be stuck so we make decisions on hotel booking. Thanks

Sorry but not a live travel report but was involved in an incident on the M1 at 1900 hrs on the 3rd October when Southern Motorway was closed before Junction 28 to remove debris causing damage to several cars. I would really appreciate if I could get a report from your good selves on this as it appeared on your website. My insurance company requires this info. Many thanks in anticipation. John Salmon

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M1 fully reopens almost 24 hours after tanker burst into flames - updates

The busy motorway was closed all of Tuesday afternoon and into the evening

• Updated 12:31, 23 AUG 2023

More than 22 hours after the M1 was closed in both directions between junctions 29 and 28 causing traffic chaos on Tuesday (August 22), the motorway has fully reopened this morning (Wednesday, August 23) following extensive repair work to the carriagewa y after a tanker burst into flames.

The fire broke out just before 11am which resulted in Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service attending with four engines, two water carriers and foam dampening equipment. Local residents were told to keep their doors and windows closed as black smoke billowed into the air.

The motorway was immediately closed in both directions while the blaze was extinguished causing traffic to build up and diversions to be put in place. Finally, the northbound carriageway was reopened during Tuesday evening and fire crews had left the scene by about 10pm.

Overnight, repair work was carried out to the badly burned road surface and by rush hour two lanes remained closed southbound. These were finally reopened around 9.15am but traffic was still, reported to be heavy in the area and likely to remain so for some time.

You can follow our live traffic and travel updates as it happened in our blog below:

• Dramatic photos of tanker fire which led to 22 hours of disruption 12:30
• Dramatic video footage of tanker fire on M1 10:05
• Fire crews have left the scene 22:01
• M1 likely to be closed all afternoon 14:18

Dramatic photos of tanker fire which led to 22 hours of disruption

A woman who was tending her horses in a field close to the M1 in Derbyshire got the shock of her life when she heard the first of several explosions as a tanker caught fire yesterday. It happened on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between junctions 29 and 28 just before 11am on Tuesday morning (August 22).

Sam Barber's first thoughts were for the safety of her two horses, which were about three fields away and also for other horses which occupy fields closer to the scene of the tanker incident, which blazed for several hours before being extinguished by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service , which had four engines and two water carriers in attendance.

She said: "The fields are adjacent to the northbound carriageway, right next to where the fire happened, but on the opposite side of the road. There was an initial explosion and subsequent follow-up explosions

"I was up there with two of my children when the first bang happened. It was so loud and we had no idea what was happening. I turned around and saw the black smoke and the subsequent bangs. It was really scary. My initial thought was that it was an accident and there were multiple vehicles involved. My little girl was terrified and really struggled to sleep on Tuesday night.

"Other horse owners rushed up and together we kept an eye on things. We were lucky that the smoke was blowing over the other way so we didn’t have to evacuate the horses. I stayed to keep an eye on our horses until the fire was out."

Sam also managed to capture some dramatic footage of the blaze and also some amazing photographs, which you can see in our photo story here.

Dramatic video footage of tanker fire on M1

All lanes reopen on m1 following tanker fire on tuesday.

Almost 23 hours after the fire started, emergency repairs to the M1 between junctions 29 and 28 have been completed and all lanes southbound have been reopened. Northbound lanes had previously been reopened last night. There are still long delays in the area so motorists are being asked to allow time for travel.

Yet more problems on the M1

This time it is further south on the M1 where the road is closed between junctons 21 and 21 because of a police incident. National Highways is reporting that "the event is expected to clear between 11:30am and 11:45am on August 23, 2023". Leicestershire emergency services are in attendance and diversions are in operation.

M1 remains partially closed southbound

The aftermath of yesterday's tanker fire, which left the road surface of the M1 severely damaged, is still causing a problem as two lanes southbound between junctions 29 and 28 remain closed. Long delays are reported in the area and there is no indication when the road will fully reopen currently

Broken down lorry removed

The M1 northbound at junction 28 is running smoothly again after an earlier broken down lorry blocking the slip road was removed. The entry slip road is fully open.

Beware of additional M1 problem

To make matters more difficult for drivers on the M1 this morning, it is being reported that a lorry has broken down on the northbound junction 28 slip road and one lane of two is closed causing heavy traffic.

Latest on tanker fire affecting the M1 on Wednesday, August 23

Good morning. Repairs to the M1 road surface have continued throughout the night but two lanes southbound between junctions 29 and 28 still remain closed to traffic.

Traffic information service Inrix says that there is very slow traffic in the area and that "lane one and two (of four) are closed for repairs after a tanker fire yesterday".

Road remains closed

Join our morning team for more updates.

Fire crews have left the scene

Southbound remains closed - inrix.

M1 Southbound closed, long delays due to recovery work and earlier oil tanker fire from J29 A617 (Chesterfield / Mansfield) to J28 A38 ( Alfreton / Mansfield).

Heavy congestion continues in the surrounding area - Inrix

M1 Southbound closed, severe delays due to recovery work and earlier oil tanker fire from J29 A617 (Chesterfield / Mansfield) to J28 A38 ( Alfreton / Mansfield). Congestion to surrounding routes including around Alfreton , Mansfield, Clay Cross, Ollerton and Ripley which are heavily congested as traffic seeks an alternative.

No change - Inrix

There has been no change to the situation on the M1.

Road to remain closed into evening - National Highways

The event is expected to clear between 20:45 and 21:00 on 22 August 2023 Normal traffic conditions are expected between 20:45 and 21:00 on 22 August 2023

Fire service update

Police advising locals to close windows, the current scene.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said:

Firefighters remain on scene at an oil tanker fire on the M1 between junction 28 and 29. The M1 is currently closed in both directions for the safety of motorists and is expected to remain closed for the rest of the afternoon. National Highways officers are currently working to release traffic from the back of the queue. Local residents in the Tibshelf, Mansfield and surrounding areas are asked to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke. Motorists on the M1 and in the local area are asked to keep car windows closed. Thank you to everyone for their patience while emergency services and Highways continue to deal with this incident. Colleagues from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Derbyshire police have also been supporting the response which has included: six fire engines, two water carriers, two foam units and one environmental protection unit

Fire service release dramatic video of scene

M1 likely to be closed all afternoon.

Road users in Derbyshire are being advised the M1 is likely to remain closed for the rest of this afternoon following a severe oil tanker fire. National Highways has issued the advice.

The road remains closed in both directions for the safety of motorists while emergency services work at the scene. Traffic caught up in the congestion is being released from the back of the queue by National Highways traffic officers with drivers advised to use an alternative route this afternoon.

No injuries

It has been confirmed that nobody was injured in the blaze that has closed the M1 in both directions.

The incident was first reported around 11am this morning and traffic has been prevented from entering the M1 between J29 and J28 since.

Photos of the scene

60-minute delays

National Highways is reporting that motorists should expect long delays of around 60 minutes.

This is due to a tanker on fire between J29 and J28 on the M1.

Heavy congestion

Traffic monitoring service Inrix is reporting congestion from J29 all the way to J30 (Worksop / Sheffield South)

Surrounding routes around Sutton in Ashfield, Mansfield, Alfreton , Clay Cross, Pleasley and Glapwell are heavily congested as traffic seeks an alternative route.

A reminder of the diversions in place

Diversion route.

Road users are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on road signs if heading southbound.

• At M1 junction 29, exit onto the A617 and continue eastbound for approx. 8km.
• Then take the A6075 Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route (MARR), until it links up with the A38.
• Follow the A38 westbound to rejoin the M1 at junction 28.

Road users are advised to follow the hollow triangle diversion symbol on road signs if heading northbound.

• At M1 junction 28, exit onto the A38 eastbound for approx. 7.5 km, and then take the A6075 Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route (MARR), until it links up with the A617.
• Follow the A617 westbound and re-join the M1 at junction 29.

National Highways update

Video showing the fire earlier today, carriageway covered in foam.

Broken-down car in the queues

A broken-down car is causing even more traffic chaos in the queues caused by the tanker fire.

All lanes have now re-opened but travel time is still around 90 minutes.

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Is the M1 still closed today? Latest traffic news with new motorway closure after accident and fire

Two lanes of the m1 in derbyshire remain closed on wednesday morning after an oil tanker burst into flames on tuesday, and an additional stretch in leicestershire has been shut in both directions due to a serious crash.

Two lanes of the M1 in Derbyshire remain closed on Wednesday morning after an oil tanker burst into flames on Tuesday.

An additional section of the motorway in Leicestershire has been shut in both directions due to a serious crash.

National Highways said diversion routes were in operation, with the stretch of road expected to reopen later this morning.

Where is the M1 closed?

Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway between junctions 29 and 28 , near Tibshelf services, at around 10.35am on Tuesday to respond to a lorry fire, shutting this section of the motorway in both directions.

The northbound side reopened at 6.40pm on Tuesday, and two of the four southbound lanes reopened on Wednesday morning.

Emergency resurfacing work is being carried out on the other two lanes, which are expected to reopen later this morning.

A spokesperson for the East Midlands division of National Highways said: “Restrictions are expected to remain in place until mid morning, thank you for your patience.”

The motorway has also been closed in both directions between junction 20 and 21 due to a serious crash, leading to major queues, with delays of 50 minutes on approach to the affected area.

National Highways is advising peopletravelling northbound are advised to follow the Hollow Square diversion symbol on road signs:

• Exit the M1 northbound at J20 and take the first exist (west) onto the A4303.
• Continue along the A4303 to the A4303/A426 Lutterworth Road/Rugby Road roundabout and then take the second exit from the roundabout.
• Continue westbound along the A4303 passing through a further two roundabout at Coventry Road and Magna Park to A5/A4303 Cross in Hand roundabout. Then take the fourth exit from the roundabout and proceed north along the A5.
• Continue northbound along the A5 Waitling Street for approximately 10.3km to the A5/M69 J1 interchange.
• At the interchange take the fifth exit onto the M69 northbound. Continue along the M69 northbound for approximately 14.5km to M69 J2/M1 J21 and re-join the M1 northbound at J21. 

Those travelling southbound are also advised to follow the Hollow Square diversion symbol on road signs:

• Exit the M1 southbound at J21 and take the third exit (south/west) onto the M69.
• Continue south/westbound on the M69 for approximately 14.5km to M69 J1/A5 interchange.
• At M69 J1 exit the motorway and take the first exit (left) onto the A5 southbound.
• Continue along the A5 southbound for approximately 10.3km to the A5/A4303 Cross in Hand Roundabout.
• At the roundabout take the first exit (left) onto the A4303 eastbound. Continue eastbound along the A4303 passing through the roundabouts at Magna Park and Coventry Road to the A5/A426 Lutterworth Road/Rugby Road roundabout.
• At the roundabout take the second exit (straight ahead) and continue eastbound along the A4303 to M1 J20.
• Re-join the M1 southbound at J20. 

Follow the M1 live traffic Twitter account for regular CCTV updates of current congestion.

Bank holiday travel advice

The M1 closures come ahead of what is expected to be a busy bank holiday weekend for the motorway.

A survey commissioned by the RAC suggested that around 14.4 million leisure trips by car are planned for between Friday and Monday, which is the last bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until Christmas Day.

Transport analysis company Inrix said the most congested motorway stretches on Friday are likely to include the M1 northbound between junctions 12 and 16, the M25 clockwise between junctions four and one, and the M4 eastbound from junctions 29 to 24.

Pressure on the roads will be increased further on Saturday when train services will be disrupted, due to thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at 14 train operators striking in the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

Inrix advised drivers to avoid major roads between 10am and 7pm on Friday, between 10am and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, and between 10am and 4pm on Monday.

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Southwest Airlines quietly rolls out a new compensation program for flight delays

Southwest Airlines said it launched a compensation program for  flight delays as part of a $140 million U.S. Department of Transportation settlement over the carrier's meltdown in December 2022 during a busy holiday travel period.

Southwest agreed in December 2023 to provide $90 million in travel vouchers of $75 or more over three years to passengers delayed at least three hours getting to their final destinations because of an airline-caused issue or cancellation and to start the program by April 30.

The airline said Monday it had quietly launched the program on April 16 and has already heard from a few thousand customers seeking vouchers.

The airline agreed to the compensation program after the holiday meltdown that resulted in 16,900 flight cancellations and stranded 2 million passengers. The settlement included a $35 million cash fine.

Will Southwest start assigning seats? CEO says the airline is weighing changes

A massive winter storm in December 2022 and subsequent chaos prompted travel horror stories such as people missing funerals or long-awaited holiday gatherings, passengers with canceled flights forced to make cross-country drives of 17 or more hours and some cancer patients being unable to get treatment.

The delay compensation program is part of the Biden administration's aggressive efforts to get tough on airlines as it aims to require new passenger compensation. Vouchers will be awarded "upon request," Southwest said.

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in December that, given its operational performance, the $30 million in vouchers annually was "the right number" to commit to.

Asked if Southwest would end the program after three years, Jordan said consumer programs "rarely change or go away."

Rival U.S. airlines have not put in place similar programs and do not yet face a mandate to do so.

Enough with airline hidden fees: DOT rules take aim at 'corporate rip-offs'

President Joe Biden said last May that the DOT would propose new rules requiring airlines to compensate passengers with cash for significant controllable flight delays or cancellations by the end of the year. The DOT has not issued its proposal, and Congress has declined to mandate compensation for delays in a pending aviation reform bill.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said last week Southwest under the delay compensation requirement will "really lead the market and it will be very interesting to see how other airlines respond – not as punishment but by way of competition."

The DOT in 2022 asked carriers if they would pay at least $100  for delays of at least three hours  caused by airlines and none agreed.

Most carriers – including Southwest – voluntarily committed in August 2022 to provide hotels, meals and ground transportation for airline-caused delays or cancellations but resisted providing cash compensation as is required in the European Union .

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Breaking news, anti-israel mob charges cops in portland with garbage can shields – only to be quickly thwarted.

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It’s the charge of the trash brigade!

Anti-Israel protesters at Portland State University (PSU) burst from the campus library Thursday morning in a rag-tag phalanx of bicycle helmets and makeshift shields fashioned from trash bins during a crackdown by police.

But, despite their battle cries, they were quickly thwarted by waiting cops, according to footage captured by KGW8 .

Some managed to scurry away and avoid arrest, footage appeared to show, while others were grabbed and slammed to the ground after attempting to ram through a line of cops.

The protesters — who would have left riders of the Light Brigade shaking their heads — had occupied PSU’s Brandford Miller Library since Monday, prompting the campus to close for three straight days. Police finally began breaching the library first thing Thursday morning.

Once inside cops found an arsenal of what appeared to be makeshift weapons and armor, including buckets of ball bearings, paint-filled balloons, and cups of dish soap alongside a note reading, “Throw down stairs if cops come up.”

Of the 12 people arrested, only four were confirmed as students, KGW8 reported.

The crackdown at Portland State followed an early-morning raid by police on violent anti-Israel protesters at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Encampments at colleges across the country came crashing down Thursday as police finally descended and made sweeping arrests.

At UCLA, at least 132 demonstrators were arrested during the raid, which came hours after the barricaded encampment — which was staffing its own security around the perimeters — refused to disperse Wednesday evening.

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The California Highway Patrol closed in around 3 a.m. armed with smoke grenades, rubber bullets, and flashbangs as they dismantled the camp which had become the sight of several unruly incidents since it went up.

Though the protestors are gone, the trashed remains of their encampment were left behind blotting out the typically vibrant green of the quad — forcing workers to come in and haul away heaps of garbage, structural debris used as barriers, and countless battered tents where the protestors had been living.

The scenes at PSU and UCLA mirrored the chaos that unfolded at Columbia University in NYC days earlier in the week, after the NYPD finally descended on demonstrators who had also holed themselves up in a building on campus.

More than 100 people were arrested after the raid on Tuesday night, which involved officers breaching the upper floor windows of Columbia’s Hamilton Hall, battering down blocked doors, and dismantling barricades erected out of classroom furniture.

About 20 blocks north at City College, more were taken into custody resulting in about 280 arrests across both schools.

There were at least 47 non-students among the arrests.

Not all encampments ended in chaos, however.

At Brown University, demonstrators and administrators came to an agreement Tuesday to disband the camp through the end of the school year in return for a May sit down with the school’s governing body to discuss their demands that the school divest itself from any association with businesses “enabling and profiting from the genocide in Gaza,” according to Axios .

The results of their discussions will be put to a vote in October, according to the agreement.

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Southwest passengers now get a $75 voucher for big flight disruptions

Customers who are delayed for more than three hours can fill out a form online to request the voucher.

Southwest Airlines has launched a new compensation fund for inconvenienced fliers, offering $75 vouchers to passengers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled for a reason within the airline’s control.

The compensation fund is part of the airline’s $140 million settlement with the Transportation Department, following Southwest’s operational meltdown in December 2022. A mix of winter weather, holiday travel and failing Southwest scheduling systems resulted in nearly 17,000 canceled or significantly delayed flights, affecting some 2 million passengers. Southwest agreed to pay the government $35 million and create a $90 million voucher fund for future fliers affected by operational errors, on top of the some $600 million it paid out in refunds and reimbursements to customers affected by the holiday debacle.

While the original agreement terms slated the voucher program to start Tuesday, Southwest rolled out the fund April 16. Any passenger who arrives at their final destination three or more hours after the scheduled arrival time for domestic flights or six hours for international flights can request a $75 voucher. The money is available only for fliers facing issues within Southwest’s control, such as a mechanical problem or swapping planes.

To receive the money, customers can fill out a form online . The request must be submitted within one year from the delayed or canceled flight. Southwest should get back to customers within 30 days, according to Southwest spokeswoman Laura Swift. The compensation fund is expected to run for three years.

Last week, the Biden administration announced new rules for airlines to strengthen passenger protection and increase transparency in the industry. Under the new regulations, airlines are required to streamline the refund process for canceled flights and abandon hidden fees by disclosing the price of surcharges for luggage and changes to reservations upfront.

While announcing those rules, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also mentioned Southwest’s vouchers as a customer service measure that could influence other airlines.

“This is the month when those vouchers as part of the Southwest settlement kick in, and Southwest will now, because we are making them, really lead the market on that,” Buttigieg said. “It’ll be very interesting to see what other airlines respond — not as punishment, but by way of competition.”

In a statement Tuesday, DOT officials said they will be “closely monitoring” Southwest’s program, requiring the airline to submit an annual report documenting the voucher expenditures over the next three years.

Hannah Sampson contributed to this report.

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Bad behavior: Entitled tourists are running amok, defacing the Colosseum , getting rowdy in Bali and messing with wild animals in national parks. Some destinations are fighting back with public awareness campaigns — or just by telling out-of-control visitors to stay away .

Safety concerns: A door blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, leaving passengers traumatized — but without serious injuries. The ordeal led to widespread flight cancellations after the jet was grounded, and some travelers have taken steps to avoid the plane in the future. The incident has also sparked a fresh discussion about whether it’s safe to fly with a baby on your lap .

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

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Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

FILE - Passenger drop off their baggage at United Airlines in C Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Houston. The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday, April 24, 2024, to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)

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The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation.

The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays.

Under current regulations, airlines decide how long a delay must last before triggering refunds. The administration is removing that wiggle room by defining a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones.

Airlines still will be allowed to offer another flight or a travel credit instead, but consumers can reject the offer.

The rule will also apply to refunds of checked-bag fees if the bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. And it will apply to fees for things such as seat selection or an internet connection if the airline fails to provide the service.

Complaints about refunds skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as airlines canceled flights and, even when they didn’t, many people didn’t feel safe sharing a plane cabin with other passengers.

Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. carriers, noted that refund complaints to the Transportation Department have fallen sharply since mid-2020. A spokesperson for the group said airlines “offer a range of options — including fully refundable fares — to increase accessibility to air travel and to help customers make ticket selections that best fit their needs.”

The group said the 11 largest U.S. airlines issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020 through 2023.

The Transportation Department issued a separate rule requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose upfront what they charge for checked and carry-on bags and canceling or changing a reservation. On airline websites, the fees must be shown the first time customers see a price and schedule.

The rule will also oblige airlines to tell passengers they have a guaranteed seat they are not required to pay extra for, although it does not bar airlines from charging people to choose specific seats. Many airlines now charge extra for certain spots, including exit-row seats and those near the front of the cabin.

The agency said the rule will save consumers more than $500 million a year.

Airlines for America said its members “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers” from their first search.

The new rules will take effect over the next two years. They are part of a broad administration attack on what President Joe Biden calls “junk fees.” Last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that his department will let state officials in 15 states help enforce federal airline consumer protection laws .