DOT hits American Airlines with largest-ever $4.1 million fine for tarmac delays
Delays are an unpleasant but inevitable part of air travel, but delays on the tarmac after boarding the airplane can be especially frustrating — and potentially dangerous.
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it would fine American Airlines $4.1 million for violating rules over how long airlines can keep passengers stuck on the plane on the ground during delays.
On delayed domestic flights that sit either at the gate or elsewhere on the ground, the DOT prohibits airlines from keeping passengers stuck on the plane for more than three hours without allowing them to get off the aircraft. The limit for international flights is four hours, and the DOT requires airlines to offer passengers water and snacks after more than two hours.
The fine covers 43 rule violations between 2018 and 2021, averaging just under $95,350 per flight. The total fine is the largest ever issued for violating the regulation, the DOT said. It was issued alongside a cease-and-desist letter warning American to avoid future violations.
“This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Whether the issue is extreme tarmac delays or problems getting refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines accountable.”
Of the $4.1 million, $2.05 million will be credited to the airline to cover compensation to passengers, the DOT said.
"DOT encourages airlines to compensate passengers by providing these credits so that a portion of the civil penalties that would have been paid to the Federal Treasury is instead used to compensate the affected passengers," the department said in its announcement.
Tarmac delays that violate the DOT limits are rare — the 43 noncompliant flights represent less than 0.001% of American's flights between 2018 and 2021. However, such delays stand out as uniquely frustrating experiences during more commonplace disruptions. In some cases, cascading delays may mean that there's no gate readily available for an incoming aircraft or that ground marshallers are overwhelmed by a rush of departures or arrivals.
Regardless of the cause, they can lead to unpleasant situations — or worse — when airlines fail to manage them in a way that complies with the three-hour limit or other regulations. Even when the delay falls under three hours, extenuating circumstances can make such disruptions especially troublesome.
Last month, Delta Air Lines was criticized after a flight was delayed for 90 minutes on the ground in Las Vegas while temperatures were over 100 degrees, causing at least one passenger to require medical attention. The DOT previously said that it is investigating the incident.
Also in July, passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) were stuck on a plane without air conditioning for nearly seven hours.
For its part, American said that it regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and had implemented new tools in recent years to minimize the risk of such disruptions.
"American has committed substantial time and resources to improve its performance on tarmac delays, such as the deployment of Hub Efficiency Analytics Tool (HEAT) to shift arrivals and departures around severe weather to help avoid conditions that can lead to lengthy tarmac delays," a spokesperson said in a statement. "We also built new smart gating technology that reduces taxiway congestion and the time aircraft spend waiting for available gates."
"These efforts are already providing significant benefits to our customers and team members, and we continue to look for innovative ways to further improve," the statement added.
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.