Via iStockphoto / @reginaunpacked TikTok
An American Airlines passenger says several 'pointless' delays made her miss the beginning of her destination wedding weekend.
A woman is calling out American Airlines after she says a “pointless” delay made her miss the beginning of her destination wedding.
In a slideshow with over 56,000 views, TikToker Regina McKay (@reginaunpacked) shows herself stuck on an American Airlines flight.
“[Shoutout] to @AmericanAirlines for several pointless flight delays causing my fiance and I to MISS night one at our destination wedding with all our friends and family,” McKay writes in the slideshow’s overlay text.
While she does not say exactly how long the delay lasted, she notes that American Airlines did give her a voucher to buy some food in the airport.
The problem? It was only worth $12—and could not be used on alcohol.
“DONT WORRY – I got a $12 food voucher to make up for it!!!” she writes in the overlay text. The voucher itself states that it is “not intended for the purchase of alcohol.”
In the caption, McKay adds, “I can’t even buy a margarita with my $12 voucher.”
Is $12 Voucher Normal For A Flight Delay?
If you’re wondering how on Earth a $12 meal voucher works in an airport, you’re not alone.
The average price of a full meal in an airport is typically between $16 and $25. Given that, it’s difficult to ascertain how an airline could dare call such a pitiful coupon enough for a meal.
The thing is, they don’t—at least, not anymore.
As previously reported by BroBible, American Airlines used to call their coupons “meal vouchers.” However, after people complained that their “meal voucher” couldn’t even cover a side, the company quietly switched the verbiage to “food/beverage credits.”
You can still use these credits toward a meal. However, you will probably find yourself having to subsidize your order with your own cash.
What Are You Entitled To For A Flight Delay?
In the comments section, McKay says that she was eventually able to make it to her wedding.
“Technically today was 3 days before the wedding, and the festivities don’t begin until Sunday. But my family who lives across the country flew in today along with some other family so it’s one less day with them,” she writes in the comments. “At least we’ll still have the big day, but it just stinks.”
As for what caused the delay in the first place, McKay claims that the airline was “looking for a lug nut for over 3 hours.”
It’s unclear if this is the real reason for the delay. It’s also unclear whether the flight was within the United States or international. Both of these factors impact what the TikToker may receive as compensation.
If the flight delays happened entirely within the United States, lasted longer than four hours, and were due to an issue within the airline’s control, McKay is entitled to more than her meal voucher.
She could get a hotel if the delay was overnight, including transportation to and from the airport. She could also be rebooked on a different American Airlines flight at no charge or a partner airline if certain conditions are met.
How Much Are You Entitled To For An International Flight Delay?
If the flight was international—follow-up posts show that she eventually arrived in Mexico—she is likely entitled to even more.
Thanks to the Montreal Convention, she may be able to bill the airline for reasonable, documented expenses. These include things like meals, accommodations, transportation, or other losses that can be directly tied to the delay.
If she really did land in Mexico, the country has its own laws regarding rights for passengers. These are avenues McKay can explore if she wishes to receive additional compensation.
Similar Experiences
In the comments section, users claimed that they, too, have experienced air travel issues in recent years.
“My managers AA flight got delayed 7 times this weekend,” claimed a user.
“I had an american airlines flight that was for 6:40pm,” recalled another. “Got delayed until 7:00am the NEXT day. luckily there was another flight out later that night i got on but have never seen a delay that bad before.”
“We had a first class flight that they made us miss and ended up in coach. Not even sitting together. They don’t care. They gave us each $150,” stated a third.
BroBible reached out to McKay via email and Instagram direct message and American Airlines via email.