Source: South Florida Business Journal Author: 12/22/2009
Subject Concerned: Government Airlines Flight Delay
Winter storms across the Northeast grounded planes in South Florida over the weekend, making it tough for many with holiday plans to get to their destination.
And, as winter sets in with additional weather-related delays likely, there's at least one bit of good news for travelers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a new rule that creates a hard time limit after which U.S. airlines must allow passengers to get off domestic flights if there is a delay.
The new rule prohibits U.S. airlines from keeping a plane on the tarmac for more than three hours without allowing passengers to get off the plane. There are some exceptions for safety, security or if air traffic control believes it will disrupt airport operations.
In addition, airlines will be required to provide adequate food and drinking water for passengers within two hours of the aircraft being delayed on the tarmac, maintain operable bathrooms and, if necessary, provide medical attention.
The rule was adopted in response to a number of cases in which passengers were stranded aboard plans for hours on end without food, water, proper ventilation and bathrooms that did not function.