New York has passed the nation's first “Airline Passengers Bill of Rights.” The law is a response to incidents that have occurred around the nation, such as a Feb. 14, 2007, episode at John F. Kennedy Airport, in which thousands of passengers were stuck for more than 10 hours in planes on the taxiway during a snow and ice storm without access to food, water, clean bathrooms or ventilated air.

The law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2008, will require air carriers serving New York to provide power, food and water if a plane is delayed on the ground for more than three hours.