US introduces three-hour wait limit for grounded planes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Passengers aboard delayed flights in the US will no longer run the risk of spending hours on the tarmac, thanks to new federal legislation announced Monday.
The new rules, due to come into effect in March 2010, will require US airlines to disembark passengers if the plane spends more than three hours on the ground. In a recent case in Minnesota, passengers on board a Continental Airlines flight were forced to spend six hours waiting to disembark after landing, turning the two-and-a-half hour Houston-Minneapolis flight into a nine-hour marathon. In February 2007, a JetBlue flight from New York to Cancun was delayed on the tarmac for nine hours during bad weather.
"Airline passengers have rights, and these new rules will require airlines to live up to their obligation to treat their customers fairly," said Transport Secretary Ray LaHood.
Carriers will also be required to provide adequate food and potable drinking water for passengers within two hours of the aircraft being delayed on the tarmac and to maintain operable lavatories, as well as providing medical attention if necessary. The legislation will also prevent US airlines from scheduling flights that are chronically delayed and force them to publish flight delay information for all domestic services.
Senator Byron Dorgan, chairman of an aviation panel, hailed the new rules.
"At best, being stranded on a plane for hours on end results in frustrated passengers," he said. At worst, it presents a passenger safety risk that we cannot afford."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments