JetBlue Fined $2 Million for Unrealistic Scheduling and Chronic Delays

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined JetBlue Airways $2 million for chronic delays linked to unrealistic scheduling practices. This fine is the first of its kind, marking a shift in how the federal government holds airlines accountable for consistent delays. Half of the fine—$1 million—will go directly to compensating affected passengers, while the other $1 million will be paid to the U.S. Treasury in two installments over the next year.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the broader implications of the fine, stating that this enforcement is about more than penalties—it’s about creating a fairer experience for travelers. "The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or other unrealistic scheduling practices in order to protect healthy competition in commercial aviation and ensure passengers are treated fairly," he said.

The Problem of Chronic Delays

The penalty stems from JetBlue’s operation of flights that were “chronically delayed,” as defined by DOT regulations. A flight earns this label if it is operated at least ten times a month and arrives more than 30 minutes late over 50% of the time. Notably, cancellations are also included in this calculation, further highlighting the airline’s poor performance.

The DOT investigation revealed that JetBlue operated four chronically delayed flights a total of 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023. Each of these flights remained delayed for five or more consecutive months, impacting thousands of passengers. The most notable routes included: