Delayed Flight With International Layover

Hi everyone, thought maybe someone could help me figure out a plan of action for my flight that’s in 5 hours or so:

I’m flying back home to the United States from Romania, via Qatar Airways. Leg #1 is from Bucharest to Doha, and leg #2 is from Doha to NY. Leg 1 is fine, but I just got an email that leg #2 is delayed from 1 AM to 11 AM!

Here’s the other thing: leg #2 is an American Airlines flight IN COLLABORATION with Qatar Airways. Apparently, there is some partnership with those companies. So I’m not sure how/whether that changes anything.

What should I do? I’ve never had a flight delayed before, let alone for 10 hours:

Should I request a different flight at the airport?
Should I proceed with the flight and try to get some compensation for a hotel room/food and just do the 11 AM flight? I’m not sure if they will compensate me since technically 1 AM to 11 AM is the same day (ridiculous, I know), so they may not consider it a “day delay.”
Will I still need to check-in at the original 1 AM time? Seems ridiculous that I’ll have to check in and then figure out a way to remain for 10 hours after that – can I sleep or will there be a chance the flight gets un-delayed and leaves me stranded?

If anyone has any tips/experience, I would please love to know! Unfortunately, the delay isn’t in the section of the trip departing from the EU, so I won’t be eligible for the 600 Euro thing.

2 thoughts on “Delayed Flight With International Layover – Qatar Airways”

Qatar Airways has a direct to JFK at 07:50. You could see if you can get on that flight. British Airways, in the same Oneworld alliance, has a 00:45 departure, connecting through Heathrow. Your ticket was, from what I understand, booked with American, so you need to speak to them in the first instance and see what they will do. Be insistent.