The safety of our customers is our first priority at Frontier. With that in mind, Frontier works hard to avoid extended tarmac delay situations; however, occasionally these situations do arise. Frontier maintains a plan aimed at resolving these extended tarmac delays as quickly as possible as well as to mitigate the impact and inconvenience to our customers. For all departing flights and diversions, each time the opportunity to deplane exists at a suitable disembarkation point, Frontier will timely notify the passengers on board the aircraft that the passengers have the opportunity to deplane.
For all flights, Frontier will update the status of the delay, including tarmac delays which exceed 30 minutes. Additional/subsequent updates will be provided as appropriate. Frontier will notify the passengers on board the aircraft during a tarmac delay regarding the status of the delay when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes, and thereafter may provide subsequent updates, including flight status changes, as Frontier deems appropriate.
- No later than 120 minutes after a delay begins, Frontier will ensure that all customers have been offered the opportunity to receive food and water, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety (including aircraft movement) or security considerations preclude such service.
- At 150 minutes (210 for international flights) after a delay begins, unless the pilot-in-command deems that departure is imminent, Frontier will look to return the aircraft to a gate or move to a remote parking location where customers can be given the opportunity to deplane.
- Passengers shall have the option to deplane an aircraft before the tarmac delay exceeds three hours in duration for domestic flights (four hours in duration for international flights), with the following exceptions:
- For departing flights, when the flight begins to return to a suitable disembarkation point no later than three hours (for domestic flights) or four hours (for international flights) after the main aircraft door is closed in order to deplane passengers. If the aircraft is in an area that is not under Frontier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when a request is made to the Federal Aviation Administration control tower, airport authority, or other relevant authority directing the aircraft’s operations. If the aircraft is in an area that is under Frontier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when the pilot begins maneuvering the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point.
- Exceptions include (a.) The pilot-in-command determines that deplaning passengers at a suitable disembarkation point would jeopardize passenger safety or security, or there is a safety related or security related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers, or (b.) Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
- During any tarmac delay, Frontier will ensure that a comfortable temperature is maintained throughout the cabin.
- During any tarmac delay, Frontier will ensure medical assistance is available if needed in order to meet all requests, including the use of a third-party medical consultation service if deemed necessary by the flight crew.
- During any tarmac delay, Frontier will ensure that operable lavatory facilities are available. Access to lavatories during a tarmac delay may be limited to times when the pilot-in-command determines that it is safe and secure for customer passenger to move about the aircraft cabin.
- At each airport where Frontier regularly flies, including frequently used diversion airports, this plan has been coordinated with airport authorities, terminal facility operators, Customs & Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration.
- In the event of an emergency, should it become necessary, Frontier works to share gates and secure additional gating options with other airlines and airport authorities.
- Frontier has ensured that it has adequate resources available to administer this plan.
Frontier would also like our customers to be aware of the following that will apply in the case of a delay:
- If a flight returns to a gate or diverts from its planned destination, in most cases the delayed or diverted flight will attempt to continue to its final destination. The right to deplane in such cases will be determined in accordance with the above.
- Frontier maintains information and arrangements with both airports and other airlines to secure additional gate space if needed during a tarmac delay. If allowed by the airport, the deplaning of customers may take place when it is safe and secure to do so, either at a gate or at an approved remote parking position via stairs and ground transportation.
- Any customers who choose to deplane from a flight that has experienced a delay and make alternative travel arrangements may do so when it is determined to be safe and secure, after the aircraft has been moved into position for deplaning, all operational requirements for deplaning have been completed, and the pilot-in-command has allowed customer deplaning to begin.
- Customers should be aware that if they choose to deplane, they do so at their own risk and the flight may depart without them. Frontier will make reasonable attempts, e.g., via airport announcements, to communicate the new departure time of the flight. In cases where an aircraft has returned to a gate, customers may be advised how long the aircraft will remain at the gate to determine how much time (if any) customers may spend inside the terminal prior to having to re-board the aircraft for the continuation of the flight. Such time may, however, be reduced, in which case an announcement will be made to return to the aircraft.
- Customers who choose to deplane and/or make alternative travel arrangements should be aware that on most domestic flights their checked baggage will remain on the aircraft. In cases where a flight returns to the gate and is canceled. baggage will be returned to the baggage claim area.
- In instances where customers are permitted to deplane at a remote aircraft parking position, reboarding the aircraft may not be possible.