Air Travel – Invoke Rule 240!

I go to conferences a few (or more) times a year, I almost always fly … 50% of the time there is some issue with the flight .. just always is – maybe its bad luck. It may be caused by weather, overbooking or technical difficulties caused by the airline. We cannot control the weather or “acts of god” or even mechanical issues, but there is a little known gem to be aware of when it comes to mechanical delays. — Rule 240.

Flights Canceled, Delayed and Rule 240 as defined at – www.ExecutiveBlueprints.com

If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 2 Hours:
An airline must must deliver you to your destination within two hours of the originally scheduled flight time. If the airline can not, it must make arrangements for you on another carrier at no additional cost. If there is no acceptable flight on the original or alternative carrier airline, you are entitled to a full refund (even if you have a non-refundable ticket).

This is great when a plane breaks down, you just go up to the ticket agent and politely ask to be put on another flight as soon as possible … if and when they inform you that they cannot, then tell them you wish to invoke Rule 240 – they know what it is as it is required during their training through the airlines. I would recommend that you carry a printed copy of your airlines Rule 240, so you can reference it if needed.

OneTravel.com has a search function that will search most of the major airline’s “Contract of Carriage”
.. a couple examples (that I had to use recently):
http://www.alaskaair.com/…/tariff/domestic/tariff_domestic_section6.asp
http://www.united.com/ual/asset/COC15JAN07.pdf

Some additional reading from ComPilots.com:

If your flight is cancelled or delayed for reasons other than weather, Rule 240 states that the airline should put you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra charge, even that means using another carrier. Many ticket / counter agents are not familiar with Rule 240, and most will not offer it. It is up to you to inform them. Politely ask for a Supervisor if necessary, and be aware that Rule 240 may vary slightly based on the airline carrier.
Always remember to be polite, respectful and patient regardless of the circumstances. The ticket agent is not responsible for the delay, but that person could be your hero in the event of unexpected delays.

Rule 240 only applies for factors that are within the airline carrier’s control.

Rule 240 applies in the event of Mechanical Problems, Misconnection, Substitution of Equipment or Class of Service, Schedule Change that requires you to be rerouted, Lack of Airline Crew, Schedule Change and Overbooked flights (“bumped”). Rule 240 does not apply in the event of Force Major events like weather, strike, labor disputes, civil commotions, war, government regulation, airport is closed, fuel shortage or “Acts of God”. If you are delayed more than Four Hours between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM, you may be entitled to Hotel Accommodations, unless it is your home city of departure. This may include additional amenities at the discretion of the airline carrier as necessary for the safety and welfare of unaccompanied minors, senior citizens or disabilities.