Rule 240
Peter Greenburg, a contributor for The Today Show related an experience he had at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport where he found himself stranded. He invoked the old “Rule 240″ regulation that states that when flights are delayed or cancelled for anything other than weather the airline has to re-book a passenger on the next available flight. That means that flight can be on any airline. The ticket agent may try to get you on one of their flights, but that flight may not leave until the next morning. By asking nicely about Rule 240 there may be help for a stranded passenger.
Greenburg noticed that while flights were cancelled on his chosen airline other flights on other carriers going to the same destination were leaving on time. He invoked Rule 240, and it was only then that airline employees began booking flights for stranded passengers.
Most airlines that were around before de-regulation adhere to the rule. Some of the newer airlines never had the rule in their guidelines and they may not follow it. But it doesn’t hurt to try!
The rule was enacted by the Civil Aeronautics Board which used to regulate airlines. Airlines had to pay tariffs and documentation governing them included all the company rules on delays, baggage and fare conditions. These documents included the 240 Rule. After deregulation airlines were not required to submit tariffs anymore, however a lot of them reluctantly will still honor the rule, especially if a passenger brings it up.
Also, keep your eyes on the departure boards. Check and see when your flight is leaving from its’ original destination and when the plane will be arriving at your departure gate. If the airline says the flight is delayed don’t be afraid to ask why. If the delay is going to be too long and you will miss connecting flights nicely ask if they can invoke the 240 Rule and get you on another flight. Sometimes they will do it, and sometimes they won’t. But, you can try!
