Lake Wylie Concierge
Don't Fly without a copy of Rule 240
Your flight has been canceled. You are stranded at the airport. You are wondering if there is anything you can do about it. When it is the airline's fault that you are stuck at the airport you may have an option -- Rule 240.
What is Rule 240?
Rule 240 deals with the obligations that an airline has to a
passenger when his/her flights cancel or delay, or connecting
flights are missed due to the actions of the airline. It does not
include flight delays or cancellations that result from inclement
weather or other factors that are outside of an airline's control.
You can get meal vouchers, a hotel room, be booked on a substitute flight, or be given a full or partial refund.
Note that these rules are precluded by weather, war or other events outside the airline's control. But they're all good for things like scheduling snafus, mechanical failure, and general incompetence.
Where did Rule 240 come from?
Rule 240 was a U.S. federal requirement prior to airline
deregulation in 1978. It was one of the many stipulations that
existed prior to deregulation - the U.S. government obligated
airlines to abide by a set of rules regarding the transport of
passengers and the rights of passengers. Rule 240 has remained in
existence because after deregulation most airlines continued to
respect the 'old rules'.
- mechanical problems
- late arrival of an aircraft
- pilots or other crew that are not at the aircraft on the time
- other factors that are within an airline's control
Always check with your airline for specific details. This article is for information purposes only