United passengers report Newark tarmac delays

United Airlines passengers reported hours-long tarmac delays at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday, May 20, with some flights later canceled after extended waits. NBC New York said several United flights were affected, and passengers described sitting on aircraft for hours as operations backed up during the start of the Memorial Day travel period. NJ.com also reported severe thunderstorms left travelers stranded at Newark for hours and disrupted baggage pickup and rebooking. Wednesday’s disruption hit as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expected about 5.6 million travelers to use its airports and crossings from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. Newark was already under pressure from heavy holiday traffic, and local reports said weather added to the delays. NorthJersey.com reported Newark had 172 delays and 74 cancellations as of Wednesday afternoon, citing FlightAware data. (nbcnewyork.com) ### How long did passengers say they were stuck? NBC New York reported that passengers on multiple United flights said they were held on the Newark tarmac for hours on Wednesday. The station said some of those flights were later canceled after the delays, and one passenger described a wait of seven hours aboard the aircraft. NJ.com reported similar accounts from Newark, saying storms left travelers stuck on planes for hours and then dealing with baggage and rebooking problems once flights were scrubbed. (panynj.gov) Those reports did not establish, on their own, whether any specific flight exceeded federal limits without a qualifying exception. ### What rules apply when a plane is stuck on the tarmac? (nbcnewyork.com) The U.S. Department of Transportation says airlines on departing domestic flights from U.S. airports must begin moving an aircraft to a place where passengers can safely get off before three hours. For arriving domestic flights, the department says airlines must provide passengers an opportunity to deplane before three hours. International flights have a four-hour limit. (nj.com) DOT also says exceptions are allowed for safety, security or air-traffic-control-related reasons. The agency requires airlines to provide drinking water and a snack no later than two hours after a tarmac delay begins. ### Was this only a United problem? Newark’s broader operation was also disrupted on May 20. NorthJersey.com reported delays and cancellations at Newark a day after severe weather and other transportation problems hit the New York area, while the Federal Aviation Administration’s airport-status page showed light rain at Newark on the morning of May 21. (transportation.gov) NBC New York’s report focused on United because Newark is the airline’s largest hub and because the passenger complaints it highlighted involved United flights. The available reporting reviewed here does not show that only United flights were delayed at Newark that day. ### What can passengers do if they think the delay broke the rules? (northjersey.com) The Transportation Department says passengers on delayed flights should wait for airline instructions before leaving an aircraft, because deplaning has to occur safely. The department also says passengers who choose to get off during a tarmac delay are not guaranteed reboarding if the flight later departs. (nbcnewyork.com) Newark’s airport website lists real-time arrivals and departures, and the Port Authority has advised holiday travelers to allow extra time during the May 21-25 peak period. Passengers seeking follow-up on a specific United delay can also check flight-status records and file complaints with the airline or DOT’s aviation consumer office. (newarkairport.com) (transportation.gov)