Stuck on the Tarmac? Here’s What the FAA Says Airlines Have to Do
You’ve boarded your flight, found your seat, and maybe even started scrolling through your playlist—only to hear the captain say, “We’re just waiting for clearance to take off.” Ten minutes pass. Then thirty. Then an hour. You’re still sitting on the tarmac, and you’re starting to wonder: Can they really keep us here this long?
Short answer: No, not indefinitely. You do have rights, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have specific rules airlines must follow when tarmac delays drag on.
Let’s break down what happens during a tarmac delay, what your rights are, and what to do if airlines don’t follow the rules.A Quick Historical Glimpse…To understand today, it helps to look back!
What Is a Tarmac Delay, Exactly?
A tarmac delay happens when your plane is on the ground—either after landing or before takeoff—but you’re not allowed to get off. The engines might be running, the seatbelt sign is still on, and everyone’s asking the same question: How long are we going to sit here?
Whether it’s due to weather, air traffic, a mechanical issue, or the crew waiting for a gate, delays can add up fast. That’s why the U.S. government stepped in with some hard limits.
The FAA’s Time Limits: How Long Can You Be Kept Onboard?
Under DOT regulations (not just FAA policy—this is federal law), airlines are legally required to let you off the plane after a certain amount of time:
3 hours for domestic flights
4 hours for international flights
That’s the maximum amount of time they can keep you on the tarmac without giving you the chance to get off the plane. And yes, it applies whether you're waiting to depart or you've just landed.
There are only a few exceptions, like if the pilot believes safety or security reasons prevent letting passengers off (e.g. lightning on the tarmac, or airport security restrictions).
What Airlines Must Provide During a Tarmac Delay
Even before the 3-hour mark hits, airlines are required to make your time stuck on the plane at least somewhat bearable. By law, they have to:
Provide food and water no later than 2 hours after the delay begins
Ensure working lavatories
Maintain comfortable cabin temperatures
Keep you updated every 30 minutes about the reason for the delay
Let you know if you’re allowed to get off the plane (and the consequences if you choose to)
So if you’re two hours in and nobody’s handed out so much as a cup of water, the airline is already in violation.
What If They Break the Rules?
Here’s where it gets real: Airlines can be fined up to $27,500 per passenger if they break the tarmac delay rules.
Let’s say your flight sits on the tarmac for 4 hours without letting anyone off or offering basic services—that’s a federal violation, and it’s not small change.
But here’s the catch: you don’t automatically get compensated just because your airline broke the rules. The fine goes to the government, not to you personally.
Still, if the delay causes missed connections, overnight stays, or other serious disruptions, you might have grounds for compensation—especially if the airline was negligent or failed to follow its own policies.
What You Can Do If You’re Stuck on the Tarmac
Document everything. Note the time you boarded, when the delay started, and when food or water was (or wasn’t) offered. Take photos if needed.
Ask questions. Flight attendants won’t always volunteer info, but you can ask if the airline plans to deplane passengers and when.
Save receipts. If you miss a connection or have to book a hotel because of a long delay, keep all documentation.
File a DOT complaint. If the airline broke the 3- or 4-hour rule—or failed to provide required services—you can file a formal complaint at transportation.gov/airconsumer.
Send a demand letter. If the delay caused significant expenses or disrupted your travel in a big way, a well-written legal demand letter can go a long way.
Can You Just Get Off the Plane?
Not really. You can’t simply unbuckle and walk out onto the tarmac. The plane needs to be at a gate or have mobile stairs and clearance to let passengers off.
That’s part of the problem: If the airport is congested and there’s no gate available, the airline has limited options. But that doesn’t excuse skipping the rules.
How to Protect Yourself from Long Tarmac Delays
While you can’t prevent every delay, there are ways to reduce your chances of being stuck:
Fly earlier in the day. Delays build up as the day goes on.
Avoid tight layovers. If you’re on a connecting flight, give yourself a buffer in case your first leg gets stuck.
Pick major hubs. Bigger airports usually have more gates, which means fewer delays waiting for one to open up.
Use airline apps. You’ll often get faster notifications about delays, gate changes, and timing updates.
Bottom Line
Tarmac delays are frustrating, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright infuriating. But they’re not lawless free-for-alls. Airlines have strict obligations under FAA and DOT regulations, and if they ignore those rules, there can be consequences.
If you’ve been stuck on the tarmac for hours without food, water, or the chance to get off the plane, don’t just let it slide. Document the delay, know your rights, and take action if needed.
And if you need help sending a demand letter or getting compensation for a delay that wasn’t handled properly? That’s exactly what we do at Airclaim Legal Services, PLLC.
Know Your Rights. Claim What’s Yours. Fly Fair.
Fly Smarter. Don’t let airlines treat a tarmac like a holding cell. If they break the rules, we’ll help you hold them accountable.
Sources
U.S. Department of Transportation – Tarmac Delay Rules Summary
Overview of passenger rights during tarmac delays, including food, water, and time limits.
https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/tarmac-delays14 CFR § 259.4 – DOT Regulation: Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays
Full legal text outlining time limits (3 hours domestic, 4 hours international) and exceptions for safety/security.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/259.4Bureau of Transportation Statistics – Tarmac Delay Reporting Requirements
Details on mandatory reporting of tarmac delays and data collection from airlines.
https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/number-331a-part-244-reporting-tarmac-delay-data-revisedDOT Enforcement Example – American Airlines Fined $1.6 Million
Case where the DOT penalized American Airlines for keeping passengers on the tarmac beyond the legal limit.
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/american-airlines-fined-16-million-violating-tarmac-delay-ruleDOT Enforcement Example – United Airlines Fined $1.9 Million
Example of DOT enforcement action related to multiple tarmac delay violations.
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-fines-united-airlines-violating-tarmac-delay-rule