What is airline rule #240?

[JandD Mom]

Since there are so many airline gurus on here, I thought I would ask it. What exactly is the infamous rule 240? Is it true that under 240, if they change your flight by more than 5 minutes, you can make them rebook your flight or refund your money?

 

[travelcoupons]

Rule 240 states that an airline must deliver you to your destination within two hours of the originally scheduled flight time. If they cannot, they must put you on another carrier.

Rule 240 does not apply to weather-related delays: only mechanical delays, or delays that are completely the fault of the airline. The following are NOT the fault of the airline (known as a Force Majeure Events):
weather, acts of God, riots, civil commotion, embargoes, wars, hostilities, disturbances, unsettled international conditions, and any strike, work stoppage, slowdown, lockout or any other labor-related dispute involving or affecting the airline's service, etc.

If there's a Force Majeure Event, the airlines only obligation is to refund your ticket. Airlines will typically do their best to get you to your destination, but they're not necessarily obligated to do so.

A 5 minute schedule change is not sufficent to warranty a refund.

 

[seashoreCM]

Each airline has a slightly different Rule 240. A few airlines will give you hotel accommodations if you are stranded overnight, most do not provide that in their Rule 240's.

More travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

9/65 Disneyland
3/75 (World Inn* off I4 near DD)
4/85 (Kon-Tiki* on 192)
'80s Disneyland once or twice
7/94 PORiv
9/97 ASMu
11/98 ASMu
12/98 (Knights Inn on 192)
9/99 ASMo
12/00 ASSp
9/01 ASSp
11/01 ASSp planned
*no longer exists

 

[ducklite]

For information on Rule 240 for YOUR airline, go to www.1travel.com and click on "Rules of the air".

You'll be suprised to learn what you think you'll get and what they are obligated to give you are often very, very different.

Basically, you're on your own. To increase your chances of being better taken care of, fly the same carrier all the time, and obtain a higher frequent flier status. They are more apt to assist their best customers.

Anne