How Long Can An Airline Keep Passengers Waiting on a Plane?

[Yeki89]

My plane is having "maintnce issue" Im sitting here 2 hours without AC.

[MarkS]

My plane is having "maintnce issue" Im sitting here 2 hours without AC.

Aircraft cannot remain on the tarmac more than three hours without letting passengers get off, the new rule states. The fine? Up to $27,500 per passenger on the flight.
The new federal rule also requires airlines to provide food and water within two hours of the aircraft being delayed and to have working lavatories.

Hang tight for another hour and hope you at least take off then and don't have to taxi back and wait for a new plane...

[Yeki89]

i rather wait 3 hours and 1 minute, and notify DoT, its a full flights.

[MarkS]

i rather wait 3 hours and 1 minute, and notify DoT, its a full flights.

Umm, I don't think you get the money. It's probably a fine to the DOT.
And I imagine they're smarter than that and will taxi back at 2:59

[jj1000]

Show this to your flight attendant http://regulationroom.org/airline-passenger-rights/tarmac-delay/

[enJay]

i rather wait 3 hours and 1 minute, and notify DoT, its a full flights.

In the meantime begin drafting your letter of complaint...

[Yeki89]

hmmmmm... When does the three hours start, when i boarded the plane, or a delay of three hours.

[MarkS]

Hmm, I wonder if they can get away with it due to:
From JJ1000's link:(The 3-hour limit doesn’t apply if deplaning would create safety or security problems, or “significantly disrupt” airport operations.)

[Cholentfresser]

hmmmmm... When does the three hours start, when i boarded the plane, or a delay of three hours.

I was also wondering that, and when does it end? When u start going back to the gate, or when u get off the plane?

[Yeki89]

but at this hour there very little flights/passengers, and containing everyone to a small air conditioned room would not be a huge issue, whatever.

#sweatingaway

[enJay]

My plane is having "maintnce issue" Im sitting here 2 hours without AC.

is this a domestic or international flight?
I'm reading that the 3 hour rule does not apply to international flights operated by US carriers

[Cholentfresser]

but at this hour there very little flights/passengers, and containing everyone to a small air conditioned room would not be a huge issue, whatever.

#sweatingaway

But how would u be able to prove that? They can argue that it would still "distrupt significantly"

[jj1000]

Hmm, I wonder if they can get away with it due to:
From JJ1000's link:(The 3-hour limit doesn’t apply if deplaning would create safety or security problems, or “significantly disrupt” airport operations.)

Doubtful. You can read the original here http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/Final%20Rule%20on%20Enhancing%20Airline%20Passenger%20Protections.pdf

It starts getting practical at the end of page 68985 see "2. Content of Contingency Plan"

[jj1000]

But how would u be able to prove that? They can argue that it would still "distrupt significantly"

It's a night flight. Really not that much to disturb...

[Yeki89]

international UA90

[enJay]

international UA90

From United:
2. For international flights covered by this Plan that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport, United will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a U.S. airport for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane unless: either the pilot-in-command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason (e.g., weather, a directive from an appropriate government agency) that the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
3. For all flights covered by this Plan, United will provide adequate food and drinking water no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of departure) or touches down (in the case of arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.

[Yeki89]

Just hit 3 hours 1 minute (froom when i boarded. We are still at the gate.

[enJay]

Just hit 3 hours 1 minute (froom when i boarded. We are still at the gate.

See above, the 3-hour DOT rule doesn't seem to apply to international flights. United has a self-imposed 4hour "rule."
Have they been providing you with snacks, water, and updates every half hour?

[Yaalili]

Yes international sometimes have a four hour rule. I had this on AC going to YYZ, right before it hit 4 hours, we returned to gate.