3 passenger rights you need to know when flights get delayed, canceled

What happens when your flights get delayed or canceled, but you're already in the airport?

On Wednesday's episode of "Unang Hirit," Atty. Gaby Concepcion shared three things you need to know and remember the next time you experience a delay or cancellation on the day of your flight.

According to Concepcion, when flights get delayed or canceled, a passenger has several rights they can exercise under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights.

Delayed flight for 3 hours or more

When the delay of a flight expands to three hours and more, whether or not it's the airline's fault, they should provide passengers with food and refreshments.

Tarmac delay for 3 hours or more

A tarmac delay is when an airplane is either awaiting takeoff or has just landed, but the passengers can't get off the aircraft just yet. When this happens for more than three hours, Concepcion said the passengers should have the right to deplane the aircraft.

Canceled flights due to natural calamities and threats

When a flight gets canceled due to typhoons, bomb threats, or power outages, the passengers should be given the option to refund their tickets at full price.

If the flight cancellation is the airline's fault, Concepcion said there should be hotel accommodation if the passenger is already in the airport and the following flight schedule would take a while.

Another option, according to the lawyer, is to seek endorsement from your chosen airline to be transferred to another airline without any additional cost.

"Although subject of course to availability ito, or ire-rebook nila to next flight without additional charge kasi s'yempre hindi nga kasalanan ng pasareho," she said.

During this year's Labor Day, almost 9,000 passengers were affected by flight delays and cancellations due to power outage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News