Having worked for an airline for almost 15 years, I've seen a lot of the unavoidable reality of air travel - flights will delay or cancel. There are two types really - ones that the airline is responsible for (like a mechanical issue), and ones that an airline is not responsible for (like weather - an all-too-common source of flight delays and cancellations at this time of year.
What makes weather delays or cancellations different is that the airlines consider these an act of god or a force majeure, in effect the airline is not required to compensate you when weather is a factor (other things are also considered a force majeure, but weather-related is by far the most common).
Things are a lot different if a flight delays or cancels because of the airline: whether it be a mechanical or staffing problem. In the United States, for many airlines, Rule 240 is there to protect you...if you know your rights. Low cost airlines are not included, neither are flights that originate outside of the U.S.. However, although 240 doesn't exist in other countries, it doesn't mean that you aren't entitled to compensation. But again, if you are traveling a low cost or charter airline, you may be out of luck.
To know a bit more about Rule 240, and what to do if your flight delays or cancels then read through - Flights Canceled, Delayed and Rule 240
What makes weather delays or cancellations different is that the airlines consider these an act of god or a force majeure, in effect the airline is not required to compensate you when weather is a factor (other things are also considered a force majeure, but weather-related is by far the most common).
Things are a lot different if a flight delays or cancels because of the airline: whether it be a mechanical or staffing problem. In the United States, for many airlines, Rule 240 is there to protect you...if you know your rights. Low cost airlines are not included, neither are flights that originate outside of the U.S.. However, although 240 doesn't exist in other countries, it doesn't mean that you aren't entitled to compensation. But again, if you are traveling a low cost or charter airline, you may be out of luck.
To know a bit more about Rule 240, and what to do if your flight delays or cancels then read through - Flights Canceled, Delayed and Rule 240
date 01-19-2011. Flight 1915 From Dfw to Salt Lake City UT. Flight time to depart 12:15 pm. Boarding time 11:40 the flight is over booked. After boarding and everyone is seated and settled. At 12:45 the pilot declared the plane OUT OF SERVICE. after a 11 minute wait at the terminal we were sent from D-27 to D-18. Everybody is on board and ready to go at 1:26pm Around 1: 45 the pilot anounced the one tire was under pounds and pressure limit and a crew was on its was to inflate the tire with some type of gas. About 2:oopm the pilot anounced the tire would have to be changed. And this would take about 45 minutes. At 3:00 the pilot anounced another small delay because the ground Maintance crew was about to change Shifts. At 3:47 the pilot anounced the Crew had stripped the threads on the tire HUB and we would be moving to gate A-22 to get on plane number 3.
After boarding this plane at 4: 20 everybody seated and ready to go the pilot anounced the after checking the fuel load we were short 430 pounds of fuel. And a fuel was on its way. Actual take off time 5:22pm. Most DJ’s on the Radio on have 4 hour programs our pilot did five hours.