Rule 240
what it is: A long-standing and often misunderstood airline term referring to historic tariff rules that, under certain circumstances, allowed airlines to reroute passengers on other carriers during delays or cancellations. While the original Civil Aeronautics Board-era Rule 240 largely disappeared after deregulation, the phrase survived in frequent flyer culture as shorthand for “the airline should fix this.”
what it really means: travelers speak of Rule 240 like an ancient power… usually hoping it still works.
🧠 deep notes
where it came from:
before airline deregulation in the United States, carriers filed tariffs containing passenger-protection rules—commonly including provisions labeled “Rule 240”
why it became legendary:
frequent flyers learned that airlines could sometimes:
- reroute passengers onto competitors
- protect missed connections
- provide alternate transportation during IRROPS
what changed:
modern contracts of carriage replaced most traditional Rule 240 protections, and today policies vary significantly by airline
cultural impact:
despite no longer existing in its original form, “Rule 240” remains one of the most famous pieces of airline folklore and is still invoked by seasoned travelers during major disruptions