American airlines have a three hour loophole for delays that passengers aren't supposed to know

There’s a little-known rule that might come in handy next time you’re flying Delta, American or United Airlines – or any other US-based airline for that matter.

The rule applies to tarmac delays, but it only applies to delays over three hours.

So that’s the bad news.

Because it means this rule gives you an advantage in a situation you wouldn’t want to experience in the first place.

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The ‘three-hour’ rule airlines aren’t really advertising

Tarmac delays occur when you’re on the plane but you’re not allowed to take off or not allowed to get out of the airplane after landing.

In theory, you’re supposed to be provided with proper ventilation, food and drink, and communication.

In practice, it’s always a mess, and it’s very annoying.

These delays are relatively uncommon, but the situation is getting worse.

In 2024 alone, there were over 430 long delays on US domestic flights, up from 289 the year before.

As per usual, there are rules and passenger rights but, as per usual, passengers have to be proactive about it because airlines generally don’t go out of their way to let you know.

For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) prohibits 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 concern.

This leads to another catch, because it’s easy for the pilot to just say: “yep, there’s a safety concern here”.

Still, if you’ve been on an American, Delta or United Airlines plane, on tarmac, for longer than three hours, it’s always better to know your rights.

Commercial aviation is a maze of rules and regulations

Commercial aviation is generally over-regulated, with a long list of national and regional rules on top of standardized global and regional rules.

Let’s take airport security checks as a case in point.

Some airports require taking shoes off, some don’t, and then other airports do but not if you’re wearing sneakers.

Some want you to take your laptop out of your bag, some don’t.

Some go further, as they’ll ask you to take your laptop out of your bag, and then your laptop out of its case.

It goes on.

And now, with the rise of business class-only airlines and more sophisticated aircraft, the situation is unlikely to change.

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