Those federal rules that will prohibit international airlines from keeping passengers on tarmacs for more than four hours can't come soon enough: A Caribbean Airlines flight from Trinidad was stuck on the Newark Airport tarmac for six hours yesterday. Apparently the flight's destination was diverted from JFK Airport to Newark, but in the six hours passengers waited, they could have gone to JFK and come back to Newark again! more ›

The U.S. Department of Transportation has updated its Passenger Bill of Rights and the new rules are good for the common flyer. Highlights include the fact that, when the new rules start in a few months, airlines will not be able to keep international flights on the tarmac for more than four hours and they'll have to reimburse luggage fees for lost lost luggage. Also the amount of money you are eligible for if you are involuntarily bumped from a flight is being doubled. more ›

Things aren't as bad as Monday or Tuesday or yesterday, but it's been tense at the airports. Late yesterday, the Post reported that Qatar Airways customers freaked out at employees when they "were told the airline’s planes wouldn’t be able to land at JFK. The passengers have been waiting for flights to take them back to cities in southeast Asia. Airline representatives were trying to convince passengers to take a bus to Washington, DC, where two airplanes were ready to depart. A ticket agent who stood on a chair and screamed for people to calm down elicited a roar of protest from the crowd." more ›

Virgin-gate continues! Reportedly the pilot on the Virgin Atlantic flight, that ended with passengers baking inside of the aircraft on the tarmac for four hours, asked to get passengers off the plane once they landed in Connecticut. The airline says he was threatened with arrest by customs officials, but customs denies the allegation. more ›

The passengers of a Virgin Atlantic flight that departed London on Tuesday have finally made it to their final destination: Newark, NJ. They arrived via bus yesterday, and it sounds like all 300 or so were ready to vent about their experience—including one man who told Eyewitness News at least one passenger who panicked was threatened with arrest. more ›

Could this be the summer of nightmarish travel stories? This week we've already heard about United destroying one passenger's luggage, and now word is that a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for Newark became an in-flight sauna. One passenger told CNN, "It was like four hours on the ground without any air conditioning. It was crazy. Just crazy. There were babies on the plane. And we are in dark and hot. You try to be patient but people were yelling and screaming." more ›

With maintenance shutting down JFK Airport's largest runway for a few months, some airlines have been fighting to push back a new rule that would fine them for keeping passengers on the tarmac for more than 3 hours. The rule would also demand working toilets and that after 2 hours passengers be provided with food and water. more ›

The longest runway at JFK Airport is officially closed for four months, and airlines are rallying against the new rule banning 3+ hour tarmac delays during the runway's rehab. JetBlue, Delta and American Airlines are asking that the rule, part of a new airline passengers' bill of rights, be lifted until construction is complete; as of April 29th they could face fines up to $27,500 per passenger if they keep the plane on the tarmac for too long. more ›

Virgin America has been winning over their customers for the most part, with WiFi and (allegedly) hot flight attendants... but now the airline is under criticism after it took 16 hours to travel from LAX to JFK. Or rather, from LAX to Stewart Airport in Newburgh, 90 miles north of JFK. more ›

Air travelers, here's something to rejoice: The federal Department of Transportation is telling airlines that domestic passengers can only be stranded on tarmacs for three hours. According to the AP, "Under the new regulations, airlines operating domestic flights will be able only to keep passengers on board for three hours before they must be allowed to disembark a delayed flight..." more ›

On Friday, a Sun County flight to Minnesota from JFK Airport—usually a 2 1/2 hour journey—was stuck on the tarmac for six hours before take off—and now Senator Chuck Schumer and NY State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris want the U.S. government to pass the passenger bill of rights. Reports say that the flight was supposed to take off at 11 a.m., but boarding only started at noon and it didn't take off until 6 p.m.: "Sun County chief executive Stan Gadek said in a statement the airline regretted the delay and would issue refunds. Adding to the frustration, passengers said the flight crew brought out the food cart after three hours, but passengers had to pay for the items." One passenger said, "I was sitting in the 17th row, and all the food was gone." Earlier this month, a Continental Express flight sat on a Rochester, Minnesota tarmac for almost six hours—and overnight (it "smelled like diapers. It had no food and a full toilet")—prompting a Department of Transportation investigation. more ›