Do I have any recourse if airline is refusing to return carry-on during long flight delay?
I'm on a flight that is currently delayed 4 hours due to runway conditions at the destination airport. We boarded and were then de-planed. They made us gate-check all our carry on luggage so that (as per usual) we could pick it up on the jet bridge at the destination.
I'm at a major hub and there are numerous flights into cities near my destination that are not having issues with weather. However, the airline will not return our carry-on bags, so I can't get on a different flight (or even drive it) without giving up my luggage. There are dozens of other passengers in my boat - we'd all like to go on different flights or even drive, but the airline is refusing to retrieve our bags.
Do we have any recourse here other than customer service complaints?
My fear is that they'll keep us here for hours, cancel the flight, and then give us our bags once there's no time to get on the alternative options.
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Can I get compensation for delayed luggage?
Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.How long does your flight have to be delayed before compensation?
For flights within the U.S., if you are delayed on the tarmac for more than 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation per the DOT guidelines.Are airlines required to compensate for delays?
There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room.Is my flight eligible for compensation?
Claiming Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late. Cancelled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.United States: Travel chaos after flights cancelled, passengers left stranded at airports | WION
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