MSNBC reported today on a little know rule – Rule 240 – that some airlines adhere to concerning “‘irregularities’ such as canceled flights” and situations within the airline’s control, such as mechanical problems. They report that the rule “specified that if an airline couldn’t get you to your destination on time, it was required to put you on a competitor’s flight if it would get you there faster than your original airline’s next flight. Airlines were even required to put you in first class if that’s all that was available.”
WOW… how did that rule get lost in the shuffle? Personally, I could gave benefitted from that rule more times than I can remember. As a matter of fact, this is one of the very reasons airportgyms.com was started.
Though the article states that some airlines formed after deregulation (i.e., JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit) were never required to follow said rule, others such as Delta, Continental, United, Northwest have quietly weakened their Rule 240, but still practice it to some extent.
So, next time this happens to you, just say the magic words… no, not the ones your mom taught you to use as a kid.. though those are helpful as well… use the ones that will make the airlines cringe and maybe get you what you want, “240 me”.
Like what you just read? Subscribe!