Questions and Answers

Hi Lucky –

I was hoping that you will be able to provide me with some feedback on whether some compensation might be available for the excessive travel delay courtesy of AA. Last month I decided to take a weekend trip to see family and traveled between San Francisco and Montreal connecting via JFK. On the way to Montreal (at JFK), AA delayed my connecting flight for almost 5 hours because they did not have a captain for the flight. The flight was scheduled for 9:15 AM and delayed 3 times until it finally took off at 2 PM. Throughout this time AA did not offer any type of compensation (not even meal vouchers).

On my return trip from Montreal, the plane was delayed on the tarmac for 55 min. due to inclement weather. However, the pilot decided to idle the plane and when finally after 50 min the plane was cleared for take-off, instead of racing down the runway, it returned to the gate for refueling. Since delay had affected all carriers, it was another 2 hours until the plane was refueled and ready of take-off. By the time I landed in NYC, I had missed my connecting flight and ended up stranded at JFK overnight. Next morning I had to wait on a standby, until I eventually made it on a flight departing for SFO at 10:00 AM. I finally made it home, after 27 hours of travel; however I missed a day of work and had to claim a vacation day, as a result of not being able to make it to the office.

I’ve been maintaining my AA platinum status for 6 years but I started doubting whether my loyalty is even worth it.

Thank you in advance for your input!