Tarmac Delays

Canada

1. If a flight is delayed on the tarmac after the doors of the aircraft are closed for take-off or after the flight has landed, we will provide passengers with the following, free of charge:
   • access to those lavatories in working order;
   • proper ventilation and cooling or heating of the aircraft;
   • if it is feasible to communicate with people outside of the aircraft, the means to do so; and
   • food and drink, in reasonable quantities, taking into account the length of the delay, the time of day and the location of the airport.
2. If a passenger requires urgent medical assistance while the flight is delayed on the tarmac after the doors of the aircraft are closed for take-off or after the flight has landed, we will facilitate access to that assistance.
3. If a flight is delayed on the tarmac at an airport in Canada: we will provide an opportunity for passengers to disembark:
   • three hours after the aircraft doors have been closed for take-off; and
   • three hours after the flight has landed, or at any earlier time if it is feasible.
4. We are not required to provide an opportunity for passengers to disembark if it is likely that take-off will occur less than three hours and 45minutes after the doors of the aircraft are closed for take-off or after the flight has landed and the carrier is able to continue to provide the standard of treatment referred to in Section 1.
5. Should passengers be permitted to disembark, we will, if it is feasible, give passengers with disabilities and their support person, service animal or emotional support animal, if any, the opportunity to disembark first.
6. These provisions do not apply if providing an opportunity for passengers to disembark is not possible, including if it is not possible for reasons related to safety and security

United States

1. If a flight is delayed on the tarmac after the doors of the aircraft are closed for take-off or after the flight has landed, we will provide passengers with the following, free of charge, adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of a departure) or touches down (in the case of an arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
2. For international flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport, we will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a U.S. airport for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane, unless:
   • The pilot-in-command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
   • Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
3. For all flights, the passengers on the delayed flight will be notified beginning 30 minutes after scheduled departure time (including any revised departure time that passengers were notified about before boarding) and every 30 minutes thereafter that they have the opportunity to deplane from an aircraft that is at the gate or another disembarkation area with the door open if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.
4. For all flights, the passengers on the delayed flight will have access to operable lavatory facilities and medical attention, if needed.