The Department of Transportation has urged airlines to revert to the practice of offering meal vouchers during long delays, specifically those deemed 'controllable' such as mechanical issues. This policy is now part of customer commitment documents and incorporated into contracts of carriage, making it enforceable. Policies are also summarized on a DOT dashboard.
United Airlines has automated the process of distributing meal vouchers. Eligible customers receive a text from the airline, eliminating the need to stand in line or request it.
Determining eligibility for these vouchers is straightforward under the new guidelines. However, there is little discussion about the value of these vouchers, which typically amount to $12—a sum that does not go far in an airport setting.