United flights stuck on Newark tarmac

United Airlines passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport said Wednesday, May 21, that they were held on planes for hours during storm-related disruptions, with some flights ultimately canceled after long waits on the ground. NBC New York reported that multiple travelers described sitting aboard aircraft on the tarmac as weather moved through the region. Some passengers told the station the delays stretched to nearly seven hours before they were allowed off or their flights were called off. The complaints landed during a busy Memorial Day travel period and against a backdrop of continuing disruption at Newark, one of United’s biggest hubs. Federal Aviation Administration status pages showed Newark reporting general departure delays and gate holds, though the FAA’s real-time airport page says those status notices are general airport conditions and not flight-specific. ### How long did passengers say they were stuck? (nbcnewyork.com) NBC New York reported that some United passengers said they remained on aircraft for nearly seven hours during Wednesday night’s storms at Newark. The station said multiple flights were involved and that some of those trips were later canceled after the extended waits. Wednesday’s disruption appears to have been tied at least in part to weather. (fly.faa.gov) The FAA’s National Airspace System dashboard showed thunderstorm-related delays affecting airports in the region around the same period, and Newark has also been dealing with broader operational strain in recent months. ### What are the federal rules on tarmac delays? The U.S. Department of Transportation says airlines must give passengers on flights landing at U.S. airports an opportunity to deplane before three hours on domestic flights and before four hours on international flights. (nbcnewyork.com) The department says exceptions are allowed only for safety, security or air traffic control-related reasons. The FAA, in guidance on lengthy tarmac delays, defines a tarmac delay as time spent on the ground before takeoff or after landing without an opportunity for passengers to leave the aircraft. (nasstatus.faa.gov) That guidance says carriers operating at large and medium U.S. hub airports must maintain contingency plans for such delays. ### Was Newark already under pressure before this week? Newark has faced recurring operational problems beyond this week’s storms. (transportation.gov) CBS New York reported last year that United cut 35 daily flights from Newark after what the airline described as persistent equipment and staffing issues, and United said at the time that the airport could not handle the number of scheduled planes. United’s own Newark update from last year said runway construction was expected to be completed in mid-June and that the carrier planned to rebuild its schedule gradually over the summer. (faa.gov) That statement predates this week’s tarmac complaints, but it shows the airport had already been under strain. ### What can passengers do if they think the delay broke the rules? The Transportation Department says travelers can file complaints with its Aviation Consumer Protection office over flight delays and tarmac-delay issues. (cbsnews.com) The department’s consumer pages compile the federal rules, guidance and enforcement materials that apply to airlines operating in the United States. FAA status pages continue to post Newark airport conditions, and United’s travel-alert page says customers should check for the most up-to-date information on flight options if their trips are affected. (united.com) Those pages do not resolve individual passenger complaints, but they are the main public sources for next-step updates as Memorial Day travel continues. (united.com) (transportation.gov)