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flat tire rule

(US) An airline's policy of putting a passenger on the next available flight without a penalty if they arrive too late for the scheduled flight.

ˈflæt ˈtaɪɚ ˈɹulDocumented since 2010s2010sGen Z139 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Born ~2010 · no dated citations yet
2010BornToday, 2026

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Global
#1·Apr 27, 2026Global

(US) An airline's policy of putting a passenger on the next available flight without a penalty if they arrive too late for the scheduled flight.

Origin: A vehicle developing a flat tire might be the cause of delay in reaching an airport. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Flat tire rule means: An airline's policy of putting a passenger on the next available flight without a penalty if they arrive too late for the scheduled flight.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

flat tire rule means: An airline's policy of putting a passenger on the next available flight without a penalty if they arrive too late for the scheduled flight.. Register: neutral, standard English. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.

Cluster: arrive
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For specific readers

Flat tire rule means: An airline's policy of putting a passenger on the next available flight without a penalty if they arrive too late for the scheduled flight.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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