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JetBlue 'meltdown' in JFK sees passengers trapped in planes on tarmac FOR HOURS

With not enough ground staff to connect jetbridges, hundreds of JetBlue passengers were left trapped aboard at least 20 planes stranded on the tarmac for hours at New York's JFK airport

JetBlue suffered a major meltdown at JFK airport as it struggled to recover from the nor’easter snowstorm that slammed the east coast over the weekend. As a result, around 20 inbound flights were unable to park at the gates at one point on Sunday, January 30. 

Hundreds of passengers were left sitting on planes on the tarmac for hours at New York's JFK airport because there simply weren’t enough ground staff available to connect jetbridges. Nearly half of all of JetBlue’s scheduled departures were delayed on Sunday as per Flight Depart. 

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Some flights diverted to Newark airport amid the travel chaos. Jason Rabinowitz tweeted, "JetBlue appears to be having a meltdown at JFK airport. There are nearly 20 inbound flights scattered around the taxiways unable to reach a gate, some of them for several hours. At least half a dozen flights are also now diverting to Newark."

Frustrated passengers took to social media to complain about their delays. One twitter user wrote, "The situation at JFK today was very hectic to say the least. Poor communication from JetBlue also was very unfortunate. Our flight back home was delayed almost 7 hours, and all we got were emails of the time changes without explanation."

Bianca Peters, a Fox5 news anchor, wrote in her tweet : "What in the heck is happening at JFK... no flights able to pull up to gate because of 'personnel' issues?!??". Another user tweeted, "@JetBlue, people have urinated in their seats on our plan stuck on the tarmac in Newark. What the hell is going on?? Claiming that the delay is weather related with several planes ahead of us? The weather was 48 hours ago.."

One user wrote, "@JetBlue, I have been sitting on flight 0938 at JFK airport waiting for a gate for almost two and half hours. Passengers are starting to get angry, no water or food has been distributed. What is going on??". After few hours, the twitter user gave an update saying, "We waited over 3 hours on the plane and then finally were brought to a gate. Then we waited for our luggage! Worst day ever."

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, airlines must provide passengers with the opportunity to deplane within three hours if they have arrived on a domestic flight and four hours for international arrivals. The same rule applies to departing flights. In case of a tarmac delay, airlines must also provide snacks and water. Failing to comply with these rules can lead to hefty fines.