American Airlines - Consent Order 2016-12-10

About this order

This consent order concerns violations by American Airlines, Inc. (American Airlines) of 14 CFR 259.4 (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 Airlines failed to adhere to the assurances in its contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays for twenty domestic flights at Charlotte International Airport (CLT) on February 16, 2013, six domestic flights at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on February 27, 2015, and one domestic flight at Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) on October 22, 2015. Specifically, the carrier permitted the flights to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. This order directs American Airlines to cease and desist from future similar violations of Part 259 and sections 41712 and 42301 and assesses American Airlines $1.6 million in civil penalties.