JetBlue must pay a $2 million penalty for operating “chronically delayed flights” on a handful of routes in 2022 and 2023, the Transportation Department announced Friday. The action marks the first time the department has fined an airline for the offense,

The Transportation Department said Friday it will hit JetBlue Airways with a $2 million penalty for chronically late flights along the East Coast, and half the money will go to passengers who were delayed.

Connecticut JetBlue passengers of a chronically delayed flight are eligible for monetary compensation. The U.S. Department of Transportation on Jan. 3 said it will fine JetBlue Airways Corp. $2 million for operating chronically delayed flights,

The Department of Transportation says half of the money will go to customers affected by travel disruptions. Legal analyst Whitney Traylor weighs in on the fine.