Is two hour delay sufficient to demand compensation from the airline?












4














My Delta flight from Milwaukee to Boston was delayed 2+ during which we had to sit on the plane waiting for takeoff. The reason for delay was deicing and other minor issues. Am I within my rights to demand some compensation: vouchers, etc or is a two hour delay considered relatively minor? If yes, how would I go about doing it?










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    4














    My Delta flight from Milwaukee to Boston was delayed 2+ during which we had to sit on the plane waiting for takeoff. The reason for delay was deicing and other minor issues. Am I within my rights to demand some compensation: vouchers, etc or is a two hour delay considered relatively minor? If yes, how would I go about doing it?










    share|improve this question



























      4












      4








      4







      My Delta flight from Milwaukee to Boston was delayed 2+ during which we had to sit on the plane waiting for takeoff. The reason for delay was deicing and other minor issues. Am I within my rights to demand some compensation: vouchers, etc or is a two hour delay considered relatively minor? If yes, how would I go about doing it?










      share|improve this question















      My Delta flight from Milwaukee to Boston was delayed 2+ during which we had to sit on the plane waiting for takeoff. The reason for delay was deicing and other minor issues. Am I within my rights to demand some compensation: vouchers, etc or is a two hour delay considered relatively minor? If yes, how would I go about doing it?







      usa delays delta-air-lines






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      edited Dec 10 at 21:53









      Michael Hampton

      33.3k276157




      33.3k276157










      asked Dec 10 at 21:49









      Peter Chikov

      2314




      2314






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          17














          For a purely domestic flight in the USA, there is no federally required compensation as there is in some other parts of the world.



          The US Department of Transportation explains:




          There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room. While some airlines offer these amenities to passengers, others do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers.




          However, if you are on the plane for more than two hours, various consumer protections do kick in:





          • At two hours, the flight must offer food and water.




            U.S. airlines must provide passengers with food and water no later than two hours after the tarmac delay begins. While the aircraft remains on the tarmac lavatories must remain operable and medical attention must be available if needed.





          • At three hours, the flight must return to the gate unless safety issues prevent it.




            Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:




            • the pilot determines that there is a safety or security reason why the aircraft cannot taxi to the gate and deplane its passengers, or

            • Air traffic control advises the pilot that taxiing to the gate (or to another location where passengers can be deplaned) would significantly disrupt airport operations.





          The DOT has an extensive explanation of the (limited) air passenger rights in the US.






          share|improve this answer





















          • Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
            – user3067860
            Dec 11 at 17:30










          • @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
            – Michael Hampton
            Dec 11 at 22:13



















          9














          You are always within your rights to ask for compensation.



          However there are NO requirements under US law for the airline to provide any compensation, pretty much regardless of the length of the delay.



          The odds of a US airline providing compensation for a 2 hour delay which was at least in part caused by weather is pretty much zero.



          So yes, you're able to ask - but unless there's something more to the delay than you're stating I'll all but guarantee you that it's a waste of your time to do so as the chances of receiving anything is basically zero.






          share|improve this answer





















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            17














            For a purely domestic flight in the USA, there is no federally required compensation as there is in some other parts of the world.



            The US Department of Transportation explains:




            There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room. While some airlines offer these amenities to passengers, others do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers.




            However, if you are on the plane for more than two hours, various consumer protections do kick in:





            • At two hours, the flight must offer food and water.




              U.S. airlines must provide passengers with food and water no later than two hours after the tarmac delay begins. While the aircraft remains on the tarmac lavatories must remain operable and medical attention must be available if needed.





            • At three hours, the flight must return to the gate unless safety issues prevent it.




              Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:




              • the pilot determines that there is a safety or security reason why the aircraft cannot taxi to the gate and deplane its passengers, or

              • Air traffic control advises the pilot that taxiing to the gate (or to another location where passengers can be deplaned) would significantly disrupt airport operations.





            The DOT has an extensive explanation of the (limited) air passenger rights in the US.






            share|improve this answer





















            • Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
              – user3067860
              Dec 11 at 17:30










            • @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
              – Michael Hampton
              Dec 11 at 22:13
















            17














            For a purely domestic flight in the USA, there is no federally required compensation as there is in some other parts of the world.



            The US Department of Transportation explains:




            There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room. While some airlines offer these amenities to passengers, others do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers.




            However, if you are on the plane for more than two hours, various consumer protections do kick in:





            • At two hours, the flight must offer food and water.




              U.S. airlines must provide passengers with food and water no later than two hours after the tarmac delay begins. While the aircraft remains on the tarmac lavatories must remain operable and medical attention must be available if needed.





            • At three hours, the flight must return to the gate unless safety issues prevent it.




              Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:




              • the pilot determines that there is a safety or security reason why the aircraft cannot taxi to the gate and deplane its passengers, or

              • Air traffic control advises the pilot that taxiing to the gate (or to another location where passengers can be deplaned) would significantly disrupt airport operations.





            The DOT has an extensive explanation of the (limited) air passenger rights in the US.






            share|improve this answer





















            • Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
              – user3067860
              Dec 11 at 17:30










            • @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
              – Michael Hampton
              Dec 11 at 22:13














            17












            17








            17






            For a purely domestic flight in the USA, there is no federally required compensation as there is in some other parts of the world.



            The US Department of Transportation explains:




            There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room. While some airlines offer these amenities to passengers, others do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers.




            However, if you are on the plane for more than two hours, various consumer protections do kick in:





            • At two hours, the flight must offer food and water.




              U.S. airlines must provide passengers with food and water no later than two hours after the tarmac delay begins. While the aircraft remains on the tarmac lavatories must remain operable and medical attention must be available if needed.





            • At three hours, the flight must return to the gate unless safety issues prevent it.




              Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:




              • the pilot determines that there is a safety or security reason why the aircraft cannot taxi to the gate and deplane its passengers, or

              • Air traffic control advises the pilot that taxiing to the gate (or to another location where passengers can be deplaned) would significantly disrupt airport operations.





            The DOT has an extensive explanation of the (limited) air passenger rights in the US.






            share|improve this answer












            For a purely domestic flight in the USA, there is no federally required compensation as there is in some other parts of the world.



            The US Department of Transportation explains:




            There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room. While some airlines offer these amenities to passengers, others do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers.




            However, if you are on the plane for more than two hours, various consumer protections do kick in:





            • At two hours, the flight must offer food and water.




              U.S. airlines must provide passengers with food and water no later than two hours after the tarmac delay begins. While the aircraft remains on the tarmac lavatories must remain operable and medical attention must be available if needed.





            • At three hours, the flight must return to the gate unless safety issues prevent it.




              Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:




              • the pilot determines that there is a safety or security reason why the aircraft cannot taxi to the gate and deplane its passengers, or

              • Air traffic control advises the pilot that taxiing to the gate (or to another location where passengers can be deplaned) would significantly disrupt airport operations.





            The DOT has an extensive explanation of the (limited) air passenger rights in the US.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Dec 10 at 22:02









            Michael Hampton

            33.3k276157




            33.3k276157












            • Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
              – user3067860
              Dec 11 at 17:30










            • @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
              – Michael Hampton
              Dec 11 at 22:13


















            • Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
              – user3067860
              Dec 11 at 17:30










            • @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
              – Michael Hampton
              Dec 11 at 22:13
















            Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
            – user3067860
            Dec 11 at 17:30




            Also--doesn't "return to gate" still leave you stuck on the plane (just with the plane at the gate, instead of on the runway)?
            – user3067860
            Dec 11 at 17:30












            @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
            – Michael Hampton
            Dec 11 at 22:13




            @user3067860 "deplane its passengers" means everyone gets off and goes back into the terminal.
            – Michael Hampton
            Dec 11 at 22:13













            9














            You are always within your rights to ask for compensation.



            However there are NO requirements under US law for the airline to provide any compensation, pretty much regardless of the length of the delay.



            The odds of a US airline providing compensation for a 2 hour delay which was at least in part caused by weather is pretty much zero.



            So yes, you're able to ask - but unless there's something more to the delay than you're stating I'll all but guarantee you that it's a waste of your time to do so as the chances of receiving anything is basically zero.






            share|improve this answer


























              9














              You are always within your rights to ask for compensation.



              However there are NO requirements under US law for the airline to provide any compensation, pretty much regardless of the length of the delay.



              The odds of a US airline providing compensation for a 2 hour delay which was at least in part caused by weather is pretty much zero.



              So yes, you're able to ask - but unless there's something more to the delay than you're stating I'll all but guarantee you that it's a waste of your time to do so as the chances of receiving anything is basically zero.






              share|improve this answer
























                9












                9








                9






                You are always within your rights to ask for compensation.



                However there are NO requirements under US law for the airline to provide any compensation, pretty much regardless of the length of the delay.



                The odds of a US airline providing compensation for a 2 hour delay which was at least in part caused by weather is pretty much zero.



                So yes, you're able to ask - but unless there's something more to the delay than you're stating I'll all but guarantee you that it's a waste of your time to do so as the chances of receiving anything is basically zero.






                share|improve this answer












                You are always within your rights to ask for compensation.



                However there are NO requirements under US law for the airline to provide any compensation, pretty much regardless of the length of the delay.



                The odds of a US airline providing compensation for a 2 hour delay which was at least in part caused by weather is pretty much zero.



                So yes, you're able to ask - but unless there's something more to the delay than you're stating I'll all but guarantee you that it's a waste of your time to do so as the chances of receiving anything is basically zero.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Dec 10 at 22:02









                Doc

                69k3159257




                69k3159257






























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