Airlines must disclose delay reasons within 30 minutes

The Problem

You sit at a gate for 3 hours with "delayed - check back" as the only information. You don't know if it's weather (your problem) or mechanical (their problem). You have no idea if you're entitled to rebooking, meals, or compensation. Airlines profit from your ignorance.

The Standard

Airlines must display the specific reason for delays (mechanical, crew, weather, ATC) within 30 minutes, and automatically notify passengers of their compensation eligibility under applicable regulations.

Where It Exists

EU regulations (EC 261) require compensation for airline-caused delays, but enforcement is inconsistent. Services like AirHelp exist because airlines don't proactively inform passengers of their rights. The US has almost no requirements.