Three-Hour Limit for Tarmac Delays
Christmas came early for travelers yesterday when the U.S. Department of Transportation instituted a three-hour limit on the amount of time airlines can keep passengers on the tarmac before they’re required to return to the gate. The regulations, which apply to domestic flights, also state that airlines are to provide food, water, medical care, and adequate restroom facilities to stranded passengers, which, if you’ve ever been stuck on a plane, is a huge improvement over the conditions we’ve seen some passengers endure: we’re talking dehydration and terribly stinky toilets.
