How does American Airlines define a “flight delay”?

American Airlines defines a flight delay primarily as a situation where a flight departs later than its scheduled time. This definition focuses on the departure aspect because delays are typically measured from the moment a flight is scheduled to leave the departure airport until it actually takes off. Departures are crucial for the airline’s operational planning, customer satisfaction, and adherence to timelines.

While late arrivals can certainly indicate problems with a flight schedule, they typically fall under separate categories, such as late arrival statistics or operational delays, rather than defining the delay itself. Cancellations and destination changes are distinct issues altogether and do not fit the criteria for defining a delay. Thus, the emphasis on the departure time makes the correct answer clear in describing what constitutes a flight delay.