Picture this: you board your flight, take a seat, fasten your seat belt, and put your phone in airplane mode. Then the captain announces over the loudspeaker that the flight is delayed, the plane can’t leave the runway, and you don’t know how long you’ll have to wait.
Many are no doubt wondering why they can’t just jump ship. A travel expert explains why passengers are not allowed to leave the plane, Sky News reports.
Why are passengers not allowed to leave the plane back to the terminal?
Sean Tipton, a spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), explains why it’s not as easy as it might seem.
“If there is a problem with the air traffic control systems, the plane is forced to wait its turn to take off,” says Mr. Tipton.
It is not immediately clear how long the delay will last. The plane may be cleared to take off in an hour, but then even that time may be delayed. The plane must be ready for takeoff as soon as possible. This is impossible if hundreds of passengers are wandering around the gate.
Evacuation of everyone from the aircraft takes time, and boarding procedures would have to be repeated to ensure that every passenger returned on board. During this time, the flight could have missed its slot.
“It’s definitely annoying if you’re sitting on a plane for two or three hours, but it’s for the convenience of the passengers,” Mr Tipton added.
In Europe, laws stipulate that passengers must be offered the opportunity to leave a plane if they remain on the tarmac for more than five hours. According to Mr. Tipton, delays of this length on the runway are rare.
Additionally, airlines are required to provide snacks if the delay exceeds two hours on short flights. Passengers are usually offered water and a good snack.