Doesn't an airline have to reimburse you if you're stuck in an airport overnight?

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Tim

Quite frankly..........NO.

Why, well because that's an occurence that the airline didn't do. I know it sounds too easy to blame the airline, but take a step back and realize this, it probably was ATC.

You mentioned you flew out of NYC. NYC is THE WORST airspace in the US right now. There are ATC delays everyday. There aren't enough controllers to keep up with the increasing traffic flying around.

The only way the airline would have paid the bill for that is if the airplane had some sort of malfunction or something else the airline is directly responsible for.

But here's a tip for the future and I'm really disappointed that CO didn't inform you of it. You can get a "distressed passenger" rate at many hotels near airports. All airlines have these deals set up with the local hotels. I'm sure if they would have informed you of that, you could have gotten off with only paying $40 at the most for a room.

JetBlue just recently came out with their Bill of Rights. In an instance such as that, the customer would have only gotten a travel voucher because the they can't control the ATC.

You can sift through Continental's contract of carriage, but they are no liable for anything.

shoredude2

There are only a few reasons when an airline has to pay for a hotel, and your's doesn't fit the bill. Be glad, you were stuck in a relatively inexpensive city like Houston, and only had to shell out $85. You could have been stuck in Newark and shelled out twice that. It's all the more reason to fly non-stop.

bibsian

probably not

check the terms and conditions with your ticket

but they normally have there backs covered so i dont think you have much of a chance

best of luck
Ian

Vbonics

If anything they wouldn't reimburse you, they would offer you a voucher for a hotel room if it was their fault that you missed the connecting flight. This happened to me in Atlanta, and they comped me for a hotel and breakfast.

sandy_dfw

No they do not have to reimburse you.
If the delay is due to something out of the airlines control they are not responsible. In this case it was ATC. ATC and weather are both out of the airlines control.

lovely

if it was their error, they would have to get you an hotel, but not repay you for the ticket.....but if you just happen to have a couple drink at a bar at the airport while waiting to get to your connecting flight, and time fly by and you didnt make it to gate on time ...no

Mike R

Theoretically, they don't have to, although sometimes they will put you up anyway as a "goodwill gesture". If you complain to the airline, they will probably give you a credit of $100 or something for the next time you fly that airline. (If you were connecting in Houston I'm assuming you were on Continental, and if that's the case I'm surprised they didn't reimburse you since they're actually one of the best airlines). Anyway, I'd complain. And it shouldn't be legal. The air traffic control system in this country is really messed up (overburdened and not upgraded to today's demands), and this is something Congress should (and I believe is starting to) look into. Having such an outdated system will have a negative economic impact. So I would not only complain to the airline but I'd write to your congressional delegation.

gopher646

No, airliners have no obligation to reimburse you in that situation. I've had this happen a few times, usually they give me a blanket (and in some airports, a cot to sleep on) but that's about it.

In their eyes, you don't *have* to stay at a hotel, so why should they cover it? The next time this happens, just tough it out and sleep at the airport. I've done it more times than I care to count.

Like someone else mentioned, this is why you always fly non-stop if you're able to.

European

Nope usually due to the terms and agreements on your ticket, the airline only owes your transportation. They got you were you paid to get to. They might pay for a hotel room if your layover is over 8+ hours. But since you missed your flight. Not their fault.
They could care less. They got your money and you got to your destination. Frankly that's all they need.
Legal? Of course its legal. No law states that the airline needs to pamper you and pay for all your expenses. What now? You going to ask them to pay for the food you needed in between?

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