Do Airlines pay for delayed flights?

"There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed," the DOT states. "Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room.

Can a flight be delayed on a tarmac?

In other words, airline delays aren't unusual, and defensive planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration. Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:

Do airlines offer compensation for delays outside their control?

U.S. airlines are not required to offer compensation for delays outside their control, like severe weather or air traffic control issues. And policies vary from airline to airline when it comes to delays caused by controllable issues like maintenance problems and staffing shortages.