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Let's say I am travelling from India to Minneapolis.

Let us also assume that I like Emirates, and prefer flying on it. Let us also assume that I did not get any of the shorter flights to the US east coast, and hence have booked myself on the longer DXB-SFO flight.

Now, on the flight, due to unforeseen circumstances, the pilot announces that we have to refuel and MSP is the refuelling stop.

Can I get off at MSP?

I searched for similar questions, and all I found was: Can I opt to disembark on a stop over (if I am a national of that country) before the second leg of the journey? which deals with a flight that has a known, scheduled stop.

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Shivasubramanian A
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3 Answers3

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I was on a plane from UK to USA that had to land at an alternate airport in the US due to a medical emergency.

Several people wished to disembark and were told no for several reasons. 1st was the fact that the airport we had landed at was a small regional one and had no immigration, 2nd was that the plane was the wrong size for the facilities available at the airport, and the jetway would not line up. (the medical emergency was taken off the plane in a food service sissor lift) and the 3rd was about luggage not being taken out.

Relaxed
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Martin Jevon
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No.

At an unplanned refuelling stop, the crew will be focused exclusively on landing, getting fuel on board, and taking off again. There will not be disembarkation services, including no jet bridge, no ramp bus, no barriers set up to guide you to immigration, etc. Unless there is a medical emergency, you're not getting off the plane.

John Zwinck
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Several Ifs involved here.

If the plane just needs fuel, servicing will be done far away from the terminal building. No one gets off or on.

If the plane pulls up to the terminal and passengers are allowed (or required) to get off, you have the option to not reboard. However:

If the airport is domestic only, airport security will prevent you from leaving the gate area. They can't force you back onboard the airplane, but you will create a lot of trouble for yourself if you stay.

If the airport has an international arrivals area, head that way. You may want to tell the gate staff that you are not reboarding so they don't call you repeatedly over the PA. Immigration does not care how you arrived.

If you have checked bags, the airline will have to open the hold and fish out your bag. They won't like it, and won't be inclined to do you any favours in return.

Paul
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