Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $4.1 million fine against American Airlines for violating federal law and DOT rules by keeping passengers on domestic flights stuck in lengthy tarmac delays without allowing them to deplane. Although this is the largest fine DOT has issued for this type of delay, it is still almost negligible for a company as large as American Airlines. If you’ve had a similar experience, it may be worth checking whether you can get compensation in the form of miles or a travel voucher.
DOT announcement:
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today fined American Airlines $4.1 million for violating federal law and DOT rules by failing to give passengers an opportunity to deplane during domestic flight tarmac delays lasting three hours or longer. DOT’s investigation found that American Airlines repeatedly kept passengers onboard for lengthy tarmac delays on dozens of flights without allowing them to get off the aircraft. DOT is requiring American to pay the largest tarmac-delay fine in history and to stop violating the law. The penalty is part of DOT’s unprecedented efforts to protect the traveling public, including securing more than $2.5 billion in refunds for travelers.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said: “This is the latest action in our ongoing push to protect airline passengers. Whether the issue is severe tarmac delays or refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines accountable.”
The Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) conducted an extensive investigation and found that from 2018 through 2021, American Airlines operated 43 domestic flights that experienced lengthy tarmac delays without giving passengers an opportunity to deplane, in violation of DOT’s tarmac-delay rule. DOT found that none of those flights qualified for an exception under the tarmac-delay rule, including safety and security exceptions. In addition, on one of the delayed flights, passengers were not provided the required food and water. Most of the delays occurred at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. These delays affected 5,821 passengers.
The $4.1 million penalty is the largest civil fine DOT has ever imposed for violations of its tarmac-delay rule. Of that amount, $2.05 million will be credited to the airline to compensate passengers on the affected flights. DOT encourages airlines to provide this compensation to make passengers whole, so that part of the civil penalty that would otherwise go to the U.S. Treasury is instead used to compensate affected travelers.