Airlines

Passenger stranded on Tarmac, DOT Fines $4.1 Million to American Airlines

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) penalized American Airlines $4.1 million today for breaking federal laws and a rule that forbids three-hour or longer tarmac delays on domestic flights without giving customers a chance to disembark. According to the DOT’s inquiry, American kept a number of flights stranded on the runway for extended periods of time without allowing passengers to disembark.

American must obey DOT’s orders to stop breaking the law and pay the biggest amount ever assessed for tarmac delay offences. The DOT is making an unprecedented effort to protect the traveling public, which includes paying out more than $2.5 billion in refunds to passengers.

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Pete Buttigieg, secretary of Transportation for the United States, said, “This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers.” “Whether the problem is severe tarmac delays or issues with refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines responsible,” said the statement.

The Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) conducted a thorough investigation and discovered that between 2018 and 2021, American allowed 43 domestic flights to spend significant amounts of time on the tarmac without giving passengers the chance to disembark, in violation of the Department’s tarmac delay rule. According to DOT, none of the tarmac delay exclusions, including the ones for safety and security, apply to those flights. On one of the 43 flights, passengers did not receive the necessary amounts of food and water. At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the majority of the delays happened. A total of 5,821 passengers were impacted by the tarmac delays.

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The Department’s $4.1 million fine is the highest civil penalty it has ever imposed for breaking the DOT’s tarmac delay rule. Of the $4.1 million assessed, the airline will receive a credit of $2.05 million for the compensation given to passengers on the impacted flights. By offering these credits, the DOT encourages airlines to compensate passengers, diverting some of the civil penalties that would have gone to the Federal Treasury to the benefit of affected passengers.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.