Tarmac Waits | featured news

After severe weather forced an Atlanta-bound Delta flight to divert to Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday night, the ensuing three-hour tarmac wait turned into a pizza party when airport employees arranged for pies to be delivered to the waiting passengers.

It is the first fine issued by the Department of Transportation since the tarmac delay rule went into effect in April 2010.

A hijack threat halted an American Airlines flight just before takeoff Thursday, leaving the New York-bound jet sitting on the tarmac for several hours while it was searched and passengers were removed for extra scrutiny.

The Transportation Department is ordering airlines to let passengers stuck in stranded planes exit after three hours.