Do you know your rights on tarmac delays?

American Airlines will pay $4.1 million for violating federal laws prohibiting tarmac delays of three hours or more on domestic flights without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday.

DOT’s investigation found that American kept dozens of flights stuck on the tarmac for long periods of time. It’s the largest fine ever issued for tarmac delays.

“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.

An investigation by the department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection found that between 2018 and 2021, American allowed 43 domestic flights to remain on the tarmac for lengthy periods without letting passengers off.

DOT found that none of the exceptions to the tarmac delay rule, including the safety and Security exceptions, applied to those flights. In addition, on one of the 43 flights, passengers weren’t provided with food and water as required.

Most of the delays occurred at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The tarmac delays affected 5,821 passengers. 

Of the $4.1 million assessed, $2.05 million will be credited to the airline for compensation provided to passengers on the affected flights. DOT encourages airlines to compensate passengers by providing these credits, Buttigieg said.

DOT’s aviation consumer protection website provides information for travelers on their rights. See Tarmac Delays for more information on that topic.

Go to File a Consumer Complaint to let DOT know about tarmac or other problems you’ve had.