main content
Tarmac Delay Plan

Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays

China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays

China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. is committed to providing the highest possible customer experience to each of our passengers.  This Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays (Plan) complies with U.S. DOT regulations and applies only to flights departing from or arriving to U.S. airports.

  • We assure our customers that, for flights covered by this Plan:
  • We will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a U.S. airport for more than four (4) hours before allowing passengers to deplane, unless: (i) 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 (ii) 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.
  • We will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two (2) 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 considerations preclude such service.
  • We will provide operable lavatory facilities while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.
  • We will provide adequate medical attention if needed while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.
  • We will notify passengers aboard the delayed flight of the delay’s status every 30 minutes while the aircraft is delayed, including the reasons for the delay if they are known.
  • We will notify passengers beginning 30 minutes after scheduled departure time (including any revised departure time that passengers were notified about before boarding) and every 30 minutes thereafter that they have the opportunity to deplane from an aircraft if the opportunity to deplane actually exists. Passengers who choose to deplane may not be permitted to re-board and will be notified of this possibility if it exists.
  • We have sufficient resources to implement this Plan.
  • We have coordinated this Plan with airport authorities (including terminal facility operators where applicable) at each large, medium, small, and non- hub U.S. airport that we serve, including our regular U.S. diversion airports.
  • We have coordinated this Plan with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at each large, medium, small, and non- hub U.S. airports that we regularly use for international flights, including our diversion airports.
  • We have coordinated this Plan with the Transportation Security Administration at each large, medium, small, and non- hub U.S. airports that we serve, including diversion airports.

If you have any questions on our Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays, please contact a customer service representative at 310-646-1849(los Angeles), 718-536-9651(New York), .808-218-2310(Hawaii).

This Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays does not create contractual or legal rights, nor legally bind China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. for actions taken in conformance of this plan.  China Eastern’s contractual rights and obligations are listed in the company’s Conditions of Carriage and applicable tariffs.  These resources provide customers with additional information on the matters discussed herein, and should be carefully reviewed to ensure that customers fully understand their rights and our obligations