DOT Slaps American Airlines with Record Fine for Tarmac Delays

The Department of Transportation has issued a $4.1 million fine to American Airlines, the largest-ever penalty for tarmac delays, affecting over 5,800 passengers on 43 flights between 2018 and 2021. The longest delay lasted over six hours, with the DOT alleging that American lacked sufficient resources to handle the flights. Federal rules allow a maximum of three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights without the opportunity for passengers to disembark. American Airlines claims the delays were due to exceptional weather events and has invested in technology to improve flight handling in severe weather. The airline will pay $2.05 million to the government and has credited the other half as passenger compensation.