Arriving and departing flights may encounter lengthy tarmac delays due to unforeseen events, including severe weather conditions and other constraints. Qatar Airways maintains certain service standards for our customers during such delays. When a lengthy tarmac delay takes place at a U.S. airport, either upon arrival or before departure, Qatar Airways has a plan in place to ensure compliance  with the requirements of the lengthy tarmac delay rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).   

Lengthy tarmac delays may take place in the following situations:

• Flight Departure - A flight is about to take-off from a U.S. airport with all customers on-board the aircraft and a delay happens prior to flight departure; or
• Flight Arrival - A flight has landed at a US airport and a delay happens in the aircraft arriving at the airport gate.

I. Airline's Procedures during Tarmac Delays at US airports

a)    Compliance with Applicable Time Limits

For international flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport, Qatar Airways will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than four hours.  Prior to reaching the four hour limit, the aircraft will return to the gate or another suitable embarkation point, and customers will be allowed to exit the aircraft, unless (1) the pilot-in-command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers, or (2) air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

b)    Customer Care Measures

Qatar Airways will provide passengers with adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of departure) or touches down (in the case of arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security concerns preclude such service.

Qatar Airways will provide operable lavatory facilities on the aircraft during lengthy tarmac delays. We will also cater to the customer comfort needs and necessary medical requirements of our customers while the aircraft is on the tarmac.

c)    Customer Communication

Qatar Airways crew will keep our customers informed through on-board announcements every 30 minutes regarding the following:

                                (i)         Status and reason for the delay, if known;

                               (ii)         Notify customers that they may deplane from  the aircraft, if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.

II. Resources

Qatar Airways ensures availability of the appropriate resources in order to effectively deal with  lengthy tarmac delay situations.

III. Coordination

We are in the process of coordinating our contingency plan with the respective authorities at each U.S. airport that Qatar Airways serves, as well as our regular diversion U.S. airports in order to better serve our customers.