faa rules for passengers stuck on plane for hours

You can say goodbye to the endless hours of waiting on a runway-bound plane on which there's no food and the toilets are out of order.

A new rule takes effect that will put a halt to lengthy tarmac delays on domestic flights and provide additional consumer protections to the flying public. "Airline passengers deserve to be treated fairly," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, "and this new rule will require airlines to respect the rights of their customers."

the so-called "three-hour rule," which requires airlines to give passengers the option of returning to the terminal if they have been stuck on a plane for longer than three hours.

The FAA bill also would require airlines to develop contingency plans -- approved by the FAA -- to ensure that passengers are provided with adequate food, water and restrooms, and allowed to deplane in the event of a lengthy tarmac delay.

since the rule was implemented, the number of planes stranded on the tarmac each month has dwindled to single digits nationwide.

Consumer victory
"The Senate's vote is a huge victory for job creation, for the safety of air travel and for protecting the rights of airline passengers nationwide," said Kate Hanni, president of FlyersRights.org, a consumer group. "The new Boxer-Snowe amendment for protecting our most vulnerable infants in FAA approved CRS restraints, is a giant step forward in protecting those who cannot advocate for themselves."

The FAA Reauthorization Act will support 280,000 jobs nationwide, according to the U.S. Travel Association, while helping airports modernize their facilities and improve safety.

FlyersRights.org, and other airline passenger advocacy groups, were founded after a series of highly publicized tarmac delays in which passengers were kept on board planes for hours, while sitting on airport tarmacs.