{"id":1087,"date":"2025-04-09T12:47:20","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/stuck-for-hours-on-a-parked-plane-here-are-your-rights\/"},"modified":"2025-04-09T12:47:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:47:20","slug":"stuck-for-hours-on-a-parked-plane-here-are-your-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/stuck-for-hours-on-a-parked-plane-here-are-your-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Stuck for Hours on a Parked Plane? Here Are Your Rights."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-0\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">The airplane\u2019s cabin doors closed hours ago, you\u2019re fastened into your seat and you\u2019re still on the ground, going nowhere fast. What gives?<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Tarmac delays may be routine, but that doesn\u2019t make them any less of a nightmare. And these instances of passenger purgatory only seem to be getting more frequent for airlines flying in and out of the United States.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Lengthy tarmac delays \u2014 defined as more than three hours on domestic flights and exceeding four hours on international flights \u2014 have jumped. Last year, airlines reported 437 long tarmac delays on domestic flights, compared with 289 in 2023, and 61 on international flights, compared with 35 in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. For domestic flights, these delays have been on a steady uptick, more than doubling from 2018 to 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Here\u2019s what passengers should know about tarmac delays and what they\u2019re owed when they happen.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"css-1u37br4 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-33755ada\">You may never know why you\u2019re stuck.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Weather, air traffic control, and safety, maintenance or operational issues can all cause tarmac delays. Travelers may or may not know the reason their flight is held up. Though most carriers pledge to give passengers regular status updates when a delay exceeds a half-hour, not all promise to share the cause. <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.delta.com\/us\/en\/legal\/plan-for-tarmac-delays\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Delta Air Lines<\/a> and <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.united.com\/en\/us\/fly\/customer-commitment.html\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">United Airlines<\/a> say on their websites that they will. Others, including <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southwest.com\/assets\/pdfs\/corporate-commitments\/tarmac-delay-commitment.pdf\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Southwest Airlines<\/a>, do not.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-1\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Experts say there is no definitive explanation for last year\u2019s spike in long tarmac delays. Frequent thunderstorms could be at fault, said Michael McCormick, a professor of air traffic management at <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/faculty.erau.edu\/Michael.McCormick6\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Embry\u2011Riddle Aeronautical University<\/a>, while John Cox, a former airline pilot who runs a <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.safeopsys.com\/about\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">safety consulting firm<\/a>, said busier flying schedules may have stressed airline operations.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"css-1u37br4 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-6c5c06c0\">You may be entitled to some basic assistance.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">During tarmac delays, airlines are generally required to give passengers food and drink and to provide working toilets, a comfortable cabin temperature and medical assistance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">At U.S. airports, airlines are required to give passengers water and a snack within two hours of the start of a tarmac delay, unless there are safety or security reasons preventing this, <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.transportation.gov\/individuals\/aviation-consumer-protection\/tarmac-delays\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">according to the Transportation Department<\/a>. They don\u2019t have to serve a full meal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">In Europe, the right to refreshments kicks in after two hours on short-haul flights, three hours on medium-haul flights and four hours on long-haul flights, according to <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airhelp.com\/en\/blog\/tarmac-delay-us\/#tarmac-europe\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">AirHelp<\/a>, a Berlin company that assists passengers with airline claims.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">In Canada, airlines are also required to let passengers use their phones or give them free Wi-Fi if possible, <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/otc-cta.gc.ca\/sites\/default\/files\/tarmac_delay_standards_of_treatment_and_disembarkation_a_guide.pdf\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">according to the Canadian Transportation Agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-2\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1u37br4 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-1978c49f\">In many countries, you may deplane after three hours.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">In the United States, airlines have three hours, for domestic flights, to move the plane to a place where passengers can safely disembark (four hours for international flights), according to the Transportation Department. Exceptions include safety, security or air traffic control reasons. These same time frames are in place in Europe. Canada also uses the three-hour rule, with exceptions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">But if you get off the plane, you might not be able to get back on it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">The Transportation Department says that airlines aren\u2019t required to allow passengers who have disembarked to reboard or retrieve their checked bags. If you\u2019ve left the plane and it departs without you, you\u2019re on the hook for booking and paying for your replacement flight.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"css-1u37br4 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-6a2db52a\">In Europe, passengers can receive compensation.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-3\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Tarmac delays tend to be less frequent in Europe, because of stricter rules, said Tomasz Pawliszyn, AirHelp\u2019s chief executive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Travelers who arrive at their destination more than three hours late may be able to receive cash. Amounts vary depending on distance and can go up to 600 euros, or about $660. And if the delay would result in an arrival that\u2019s more than five hours late, passengers have a right to reimbursement of the fare if they don\u2019t take the flight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-4\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/europa.eu\/youreurope\/citizens\/travel\/passenger-rights\/air\/index_en.htm\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The rule covers all passengers<\/a>, regardless of nationality, and flights originating in the European Union \u2014 even on U.S. carriers. On flights into E.U. countries, the rule applies only to E.U. carriers.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"css-1u37br4 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-e1202f7\">How to file a complaint.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Contact your airline first. As a last resort, reach out to the relevant transportation agency in the country where the tarmac delay happened. In the United States, that\u2019s the <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.transportation.gov\/airconsumer\/file-consumer-complaint\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Transportation Department<\/a>. In the European Union, <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/transport.ec.europa.eu\/document\/download\/d7b5dd33-4083-4faa-8132-b6dc8b3a1c07_en?filename=2004_261_national_enforcement_bodies-2024-01-30.pdf\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">it varies<\/a> by member state.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"css-7ad88g e1mu4ftr0\"\/>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">Follow New York Times Travel <\/em><\/strong><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">on <\/em><a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nytimestravel\/\" title=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">Instagram<\/em><\/a><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\"> and <\/em><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter<\/em><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\"> 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 <\/em><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">52 Places to Go in 2025<\/em><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The airplane\u2019s cabin doors closed hours ago, you\u2019re fastened into your seat and you\u2019re still on the ground, going nowhere fast. What gives? Tarmac delays may be routine, but that doesn\u2019t make them any less of a nightmare. And these instances of passenger purgatory only seem to be getting more frequent for airlines flying in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[595,837,838,839,836],"class_list":["post-1087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-loan","tag-hours","tag-parked","tag-plane","tag-rights","tag-stuck"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}