Your flight is stuck on the tarmac. What do airlines owe you?

A CrowdStrike outage caused widespread flight disruptions worldwide, including thousands of Delta flights. Passengers stuck on tarmacs face limited protections compared to Europe, with airlines determining compensation under their terms and conditions. After two hours on the tarmac, airlines must provide food, water, and other essentials. Before three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights, passengers must have the option to deplane, except in case of safety concerns. Airlines have varying policies for compensating tarmac delays, as outlined in the Transportation Department's Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard. Passengers can also consult their airline's contract of carriage to understand their rights. To secure assistance, it's crucial to contact airline customer service promptly, ideally in person or over the phone, to avoid delays in receiving help.