A lawsuit has been filed and is seeking class action status against the airline after keeping passengers aboard grounded jets for extended period of time. Severe weather temporarily shut down Dallas/Fort Worth airport on Dec. 29, 2006, forcing flights to go to other airports and passengers to be trapped on the tarmac for more than nine hours. The lawsuit alleges passengers suffered hunger, thirst, illness, emotional distress, and financial losses when American Airlines failed to supply the planes with food or water, empty the toilets, and let passengers off.
The captain on one flight told passengers American Airlines' management would not allow the plane to go to a gate. But after 9 hours and 17 minutes, the captain declared an emergency so he could go to a gate. During the delay, passengers received only a bag of pretzels and a cup of water, and the plane's toilets overflowed. The lawsuit accuses the carrier of false imprisonment, fraud, and negligence.
