Before delays occur, Delta has a comprehensive plan designed to forecast and adjust to operational challenges and minimize lengthy delays while passengers are on board the aircraft. The Operations/Customer Center (OCC) at Delta's headquarters is responsible for the daily execution of this plan, while keeping in mind the safety and well-being of our customers.
The Department of Transportation's (DOT) tarmac delay rule requires that passengers on a flight experiencing a tarmac delay have the opportunity to deplane before three hours (for domestic flights) or four hours (for international flights) after the start of the tarmac delay unless:
Delta has developed a detailed plan, with established trigger points, to account for those times when unforeseen constraints have caused taxi delays. Delta's plan meets or exceeds all limits imposed by this rule.
Delta's contingency plan assures that Delta has sufficient resources to meet the tarmac rule’s passenger egress requirements, including for diverted flights. The plan also ensures that Delta will meet or exceed the DOT’s specified guidance for required onboard services during a tarmac delay, including: adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the start of the tarmac delay (unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service); operable lavatory facilities; appropriate medical attention; comfortable cabin temperature conditions, and other customer comfort needs.
This plan ensures that Delta will meet or exceed specified guidance as it pertains to provisioning, as follows: adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the start of the tarmac delay, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service; operable lavatory facilities; medical attention; cabin temperature conditions, and other customer comfort needs.
The OCC is responsible for the management and execution of the plan. The decision-making for this plan lies within the OCC. Airport Customer Service (ACS), Flight Operations, and In-Flight Service will carry out the plan at the station and flight level.
The plan builds upon the standard operating procedures now in place to handle extended on-board delays and diversions. All stations have identified resources and developed procedures that will allow them to effectively bring a plane off the runway and open the door, giving the passengers the opportunity to disembark within specified time limits.
Stations will ensure that diversions are given the same priority as other taxi delays, meaning passenger egress will be allowed prior to the 3-hour mark (4 hours for international flights). Individual station plans should allow at least 30 minutes (or as much as 60 minutes at larger stations) to complete the task of returning to the gate and deplaning.
All Stations have coordinated plans with Airport Operations and local governmental agencies (TSA and CBP where applicable) to meet the tarmac-delay rule's requirements. This consists of contingency plans for fixing or replacing inoperative equipment, provisioning and servicing of aircraft, as well as gate or remote pad parking considerations (including sharing facilities and making gates available during an emergency).
Announcements are made by ACS when the aircraft is at the gate with the doors open. Once the doors close, announcements are made by the flight crew. The announcements will:
Cabin temperatures will be continuously monitored by the crew during boarding and after departure. If at any point cabin temperature falls outside at acceptable levels for either the crew or passengers, the crew will promptly notify the Pilot-in-command (PIC).