Passengers aboard a United Airlines flight traveling from Newark to Rome found themselves in a distressing situation as they remained trapped on the aircraft for over seven hours, enduring uncomfortable conditions due to a malfunctioning air conditioning system. Throughout the ordeal, minimal sustenance in terms of food and water was extended to the passengers.
As recounted through social media posts, the flight’s departure had been postponed owing to an issue with the air conditioning system. The situation escalated when a passenger fainted, necessitating medical intervention.
In response to the incident, United Airlines issued a statement to USA TODAY, acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances. The airline explained that due to regulations stipulating the permissible working hours for flight crew, the flight had to be eventually canceled. United Airlines expressed regret at being unable to offer a more satisfactory travel experience and extended compensation to the affected passengers, aiming to rebuild their goodwill.
Regrettably for the passengers, although their experience was undoubtedly trying, it appears that their entitlement to further compensation might be limited. The Department of Transportation mandates that airlines must provide passengers with sustenance in the form of food and water if a plane remains on the tarmac for over two hours. Additionally, after three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international ones, passengers must be given the opportunity to disembark.
Nonetheless, the regulations do not impose an obligation on airlines to offer supplementary compensation for tarmac delays. The DOT also does not mandate the provision of full meals during extended delays, as long as snacks are made accessible. Furthermore, the airline captain holds the authority to suspend food and beverage services if safety or security concerns arise during the delay, such as the aircraft being positioned on an active taxiway or runway.
Regarding flight cancellations, the DOT mandates airlines to provide complete refunds, even for nonrefundable tickets. However, it’s important to note that airlines like United are not compelled to provide extra compensation in cases of delays or cancellations, as indicated by the DOT’s consumer guidelines.
