Nashville flight delays: What to know about being stuck on a tarmac
Severe winter weather battered Tennessee this week with several inches of snow, subzero temperatures and icy roads, impacting road and air travel for residents and visitors alike.
More than 100 outbound and inbound flights were either canceled or delayed at Nashville International Airport Monday during the above-average snowfall's peek, and several ground stops were issued by the Federal Aviation Administration — one on Monday for all flights between 4 and 5:15 p.m. and another on Tuesday that only applied to American Airlines flights.
In addition to cancelations, several planes at BNA were held on the tarmac for upwards of three hours, according to social media posts from passengers.
I will hang on to this disastrous Nashville (BNA Airport) experience for the rest of my life. @AmericanAir kept us on the plane for five hours before cancelling our flight. 50+ person line, nobody stationed to help them get their bags.
Do Better. This is unAmerican. pic.twitter.com/O40XoUM2Bo— Zach Weisleder (@ZachWeisleder) January 15, 2024
When it comes to tarmac delays, there are regulations in place to protect passengers. Of course, severe weather events may get in the way of travel plans no matter how prepared the airlines or airport is. Here's what you should know about your rights as a passenger when it comes to tarmac delays.
What is the three hour tarmac rule?
The United States Department of Transportation has a set of rules airlines must follow in the event of a "tarmac delay" when a plane is stuck on the runway with passengers inside before or after taking off or landing.
Departing aircraft is obligated to allow passengers to deplane before three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights. The same timeline is true for planes arriving at a U.S. airport. However, exceptions to this rule can include safety, security and air traffic control-related reasons.
The airline is also not obligated to allow passengers back on the plane. Rebooking airfare is up to the passenger. The airline is also not required to offload any checked luggage in the event a passenger decides to deplane.
Airlines are also required to offer delay information to passengers after 30 minutes on the tarmac and may give subsequent updates as they deem necessary.
Am I entitled to food and water during a tarmac delay?
Airlines must provide water and snacks no later than two hours after the start of a tarmac delay.
The only instance this rule does not apply is if the pilot determines food and water cannot be distributed due to safety or security reasons.
What else am I entitled to during a tarmac delay?
In addition to food, water and the opportunity to leave the aircraft after a designated amount of time, airlines are also required to keep the cabin temperature comfortable, provide working toilets and adequate medical attention if necessary.
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What if the airline doesn't follow these rules?
Passengers always have the option to make a complaint against an airline they feel has mistreated them, and may be entitled to compensation on a case-by-case basis.
Passengers may also submit a complaint to the Department of Transportation directly, which may assist the agency with investigations into potential wrongdoings. Many major airlines have been fined in the past for long delays.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville flight delays: How long can flights be delayed on tarmac?
