Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has urged the top U.S. airlines to step up for the military. Taking a shot at bettering the travel conditions for those who serve the nation and their family members, Buttigieg calls for improved benefits. In a serious move, he sent letters to CEOs of the 10 largest U.S. airlines, as the nation heads towards the 25th anniversary of National Military Appreciation Month.
According to a press release from the Department of Transportation, Buttigieg, who once flew on military orders himself as a U.S. Navy Reserve officer, believes airlines can do better. Current travel benefits for active-duty service members are not as transparent as they should be, with many service members clueless about them due to their absence in airlines’ Customer Service Plans. Calling upon the airlines, the Secretary stresses the importance of being aware and accessible to those needing them.
Buttigieg's initiative includes the creation of a “Support Our Troops” dashboard. This online resource, hosted on the Department's Aviation Consumer Protection website, aims to shine a light on the military travel perks provided by airlines. Meant for launch in May 2024, it promises easy-to-read, comparative data on travel benefits such as guaranteed full refunds and free baggage allowances for military personnel and their families. The dashboard, appreciated by service members flying on the whims of military directives and having to change personal travel plans, would potentially provide direct links to airlines’ Customer Service Plans for easy confirmation of these benefits.
In a heartfelt outreach reminding CEOs of the great sacrifice military families make, Buttigieg doesn’t pull punches. "America has the greatest military in the world, thanks to the unwavering commitment of service members who protect this country and the family members who support them," Buttigieg intensely stresses the need for carriers to step up their game. The appeal is to see service members enjoying travel benefits that communicate the nation’s gratitude for their service and sacrifice. It is a straightforward bid to honor the commitments made to those who serve.
The “Support Our Troops” dashboard could be a sea change for how members of the military book and manage their travel. It represents a bridge over the gap between airline practices and the real necessities of those in uniform. With Buttigieg at the helm, the push for accountability and transparency is in full swing, with the nation's top airlines now on notice to reassess and realign their policies with the needs of America's military families.
