American Airlines - Order 2023-8-20

This consent order concerns violations by American Airlines, Inc., (American) of 14 CFR Part 259 (the Department’s Tarmac Delay Rule), 49 U.S.C. § 41712 (prohibition against unfair and deceptive practices), and 49 U.S.C. § 42301 (requirement to adhere to a carrier’s tarmac delay contingency plan). American failed to adhere to the assurances in its contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays for 43 domestic flights at various airports throughout the United States. Specifically, the carrier permitted these 43 flights to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours without providing the passengers on those flights an opportunity to deplane. The carrier also failed to have sufficient resources to implement its contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays. This order directs American to cease and desist from future similar violations of 14 CFR Part 259 and 49 U.S.C. §§ 41712 and 42301 and assesses American $4.1 million in civil penalties.