A fire and subsequent blackout at the world’s busiest airport left hundreds of passengers across the US without a place to lay their heads for the night, but in most cases, airlines are off the hook when it comes to compensating these stranded flyers.
Passengers stuck at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on Monday had more immediate concerns than financial reimbursement following a crippling fire and near total loss of electricity at the busiest airport on the planet. in some cases, flyers were reportedly stuck in aircraft waiting on the tarmac for hours. According to local media reports, some passengers stranded in the dark at the sprawling airport soon discovered that many of the drinking water fountains in some terminals were also out of commission.
Thankfully, electric power was restored to a majority of the airport within about 12 hours, but the lingering out-of-pocket expenses continued to mount for many air travelers across North America. As delays and cancellations stacked up at airports across the US, many passengers slowly started to realize they would be left to their own devices when it came to the extra expense of finding unexpected overnight accommodations and nourishment.
While most carriers affected by the blackout waived change fees for flights passing through ATL and according to the Delta Air Lines website, some passengers stuck at the airport would be entitled to complimentary hotel rooms, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that most of the affected passengers sleeping throughout the airport on Monday and Tuesday would be entitled to precious little in the way of monetary compensation for out-of-pocket expenses. According to the newspaper, airlines have resisted even the idea of waiving bag fees for the thousands of items of luggage indefinitely stuck in transit.
“Passengers stuck in Atlanta overnight or stranded for hours on the tarmac might think they deserve to be compensated for the mess,” the hometown newspaper explained. “They shouldn’t hold their breath. Most airlines say they’re only responsible for getting flyers to their destinations after cancellations caused by a huge power failure at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.”
Of course, passengers with travel insurance are likely to have much of their unanticipated expenditures reimbursed. Travelers who may have been stuck on the tarmac for longer than US Department of Transportation (USDOT) rules allow may eventually be eligible for compensation as part of a settlement with the airline.
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