7 On Your Side helps San Jose woman get flight voucher after delay

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Viral video of ticketed passengers being forced off flights on both United Airlines and Delta Airlines has thrust the airlines into the news.

We've heard a lot about your rights when you're involuntarily bumped, but what about when flights are delayed due to mechanical issues?

A San Jose women endured a delay that would test the patience of many. Barbara Granas' retired husband has a part time residence on Honolulu and the yoga instructor was looking forward to being reunited. "We were delayed because of mechanical difficulties and then we finally got off the ground," Granas said.

About a half hour into the flight, the pilot announced they would need to return to Mineta-San Jose International Airport due to more mechanical difficulties.

The airport was congested, so the flight was forced to circle the airport for more than two hours. "We got a glass of water and a bag of potato chips throughout the time we were circling. We did not get a service meal," Granas said.

When the flight finally landed, Granas waited at least three hours in line to re-book her flight to leave out of Oakland the next day.

Hawaiian Airlines offered to put her up in a hotel in Oakland, but she decided she would accept round trip cab fare back home and then to Oakland the next day.

She had hoped to get a complimentary voucher for a new flight. "I think this is something that they could have done to make me, as a customer, want to keep coming back to Hawaiian Air," Granas said.

There is no requirement that airlines compensate passengers for flight delays of any kind in the U.S.

However, in Europe, if your arrival is delayed for more than three hours, you are entitled to compensation.

Granas called Hawaiian Airlines and requested to be compensated.

She waited a month without a response, so she contacted 7 On Your Side and we contacted Hawaiian Airlines. "Within three days I got a response from Hawaiian Air," Granas said.

The airline gave her a voucher worth $500 for a future flight.

Hawaiian Airlines officials did not respond to our numerous requests for comment.

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