New airline refund rules: What you need to know and how the internet reacted [Video]

A new rule from the Biden/Harris administration that took effect this week requires airlines to issue customers a refund—not a voucher, not a new flight—if their flight is significantly delayed. This is a huge, positive change for U.S. airline passengers, and the internet was excited about it.

The rules are simple, and, importantly, you don’t need to do much to get your refund should you qualify for it. Here’s what you need to know.

The new airline refund rules, explained

The first thing you should know is that refunds are automatic. You do not have to do anything besides deny the significant changes to your flight.

Cancellations qualify for a refund, as do domestic flights delayed three or more hours and international flights delayed six or more hours, USA Today reported. Significantly changed flights — like those where the airport changes, stops are added, etc — can also qualify. Passengers are required to automatically get a refund for …