Passengers only offered $12 food voucher during 30-hour flight delay

Trip was ‘ruined’ by the ordeal

Hawaiian Airlines is the largest operator of commercial flights to and from the 50th US state (Getty Images)

Passengers were only given a $12 food voucher despite being stuck in an airport for 30 hours, one frustrated traveller has claimed.

Jeff White said he and other passengers were stranded at John F Kennedy airport, the main international hub serving New York City, for more than a day when their flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, was delayed.

Mr White told local television channel PIX 11 News that it had “been a circus”, and that he was left with hundreds of other passengers waiting for the Hawaiian Airlines flight to be rescheduled. He added that the airline didn’t return any luggage during the wait, meaning people were unable to take another flight.

“There are small children … elderly people, and mothers with newborns who were unable to retrieve their baggage,” he said.

According to Mr White, the only thing offered by Hawaiian was a $12 food voucher – a turkey sandwich from CIBO Express Gourmet Market within the airport costs at least $14.99, reports Insider.

The delay, which passengers said was related to air flow in the plane, meant that Mr White’s trip “has been ruined”. He added that “people have lost wages, income, and vacation time”.

“This is supposed to be Hawaiian Airlines. They are supposed to get us to the land of aloha,” he said

The Independent has contacted the carrier for comment.

Hawaiian’s “Domestic Contract of Carriage” states when there are delays of over three hours, passengers will be provided with one meal voucher.

It also states that for delays exceeding three hours and extending into the period between 10pm-6am, and if there is no alternative transport to the destination, passengers will be provided with accommodation for one night (though not if the passengers live in the city they’re meant to be departing from).

It also states: “We will transport you, subject to availability and without stopover, to your destination, next stopover point, or transfer point shown on our portion of your ticket, in the same class of service, at no additional cost to you.”