AirTran apologized yesterday after delaying a flight from Columbus, OH to Orlando, FL for over 10 hours. Passengers boarded at 8AM and were stuck until changing planes before taking off at 5:46PM.
The plane was almost literally frozen to the ground as it sat parked overnight in a snow storm. Ground crews used three truckloads of deicing fluid. One truck usually lasts three days.
AirTran said they should have cancelled the flight, but didn’t wish to disappoint the passengers, eager for the sun and warmth of Florida. They have offered an apology and a free roundtrip ticket to all passengers.