What is an FAA ground stop?

A ground stop is an FAA order that holds departures headed to an affected airport, or across the country, until the FAA lifts it. Flights already in the air usually keep going.

Is my flight cancelled?

Not necessarily. A ground stop delays departures. Check your airline app and the FAA status feed.

Under U.S. DOT rules, if your airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) and you decline the alternative, you are owed a cash refund.

Ground Stop vs. Ground Delay Program: What's the Difference?

Ground stops halt departures. Ground delay programs space them out. Here is how each one affects your flight time.

Ground stop

Departures headed to the affected airport are held completely. Nobody leaves until the FAA lifts the stop or lets flights go in batches.

Ground delay program

Flights still leave, but each one gets an assigned departure time so the arrival airport isn't overloaded. The FAA publishes the average and maximum delay. When San Francisco has wind, for example, the program might show an average delay over two hours with some flights pushed much further.

Which is worse?

A ground stop is more abrupt but often shorter. A ground delay program can run for most of a day. Both show up on our live FAA list, with the average and maximum delays where the FAA reports them.

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Live FAA delays

FAA feed updated Sat Nov 14 00:29:31 2026 GMT.

SANGround delayairport volume · Avg 34 minutes, max 1 hour and 21 minutes

SFOGround delaywind · Avg 2 hours and 18 minutes, max 11 hours and 30 minutes

LGAGround delaywind · Avg 45 minutes, max 2 hours and 46 minutes

BOSGround delayairport volume · Avg 26 minutes, max 1 hour and 43 minutes

SUANoticeMIA 11/158 SUA AD AP CLSD EXC AIRSHOW ACFT 2611131600-2611140100 · Until Nov 14 at 01:00 UTC.

FLLNoticeFLL 11/137 FLL AD AP CLSD TO DIVERSION ACFT DUE TO CAPACITY CTC AP MANAGEMENT 954-995-2838 · Until Nov 14 at 09:00 UTC.

LAXNoticeLAX 05/277 LAX AD AP CLSD TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC 24HR PPR CTC ATLANTIC AVIATION · Until May 28 at 16:00 UTC.

SANNoticeSAN 10/004 SAN AD AP CLSD TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC PPR 619-298-7704 2610011633-27 · Until Jan 01 at 08:00 UTC.

BDLNoticeBDL 11/082 BDL AD AP CLSD TO NON SKED INTL AIR CARRIERS EXC 6HR PPR 860-627-3001. 26111321 · Until Nov 14 at 05:00 UTC.

DCANoticeDCA 11/261 DCA AD AP CLSD TO DIVERSION ACFT 2611140004-2611141100 · Until Nov 14 at 11:00 UTC.

LASNoticeLAS 10/160 LAS AD AP CLSD TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC 24HR PPR 702-261-7775 26102819 · Until Jan 27 at 23:00 UTC.

What's your situation?

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Official sources

FAA airspace statusActive ground stops and delay programs FlightAware cancellationsCancellations and delays by airline and airport DOT airline dashboardWhat each airline promises during delays File a DOT complaintIf an airline refuses a refund it owes you

Rebook with your airline

AmericanPhone: 800-433-7300 DeltaPhone: 800-221-1212 UnitedPhone: 800-864-8331 SouthwestPhone: 800-435-9792 JetBluePhone: 800-538-2583 AlaskaPhone: 800-252-7522

Tip: the app is usually faster than the phone line or the counter. Try all three at once.

Your rights

Do I get a refund?

Under U.S. DOT rules, if your airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly (3+ hours domestic, 6+ international) and you turn down the alternative, you're owed a cash refund to your original payment method. You don't have to accept a voucher.

Will they pay for my hotel or meals?

No federal law requires it. Many airlines commit to meals or hotels for delays they control. Weather and FAA air traffic holds usually don't count. Check the DOT dashboard for your airline.

Should I rebook now?

If your flight is cancelled, rebook in the app while you wait in line or on hold. Seats go fast. If it's only delayed, wait for an update before giving up your seat.

Why is there a ground stop?

Common reasons are weather (wind, thunderstorms, low visibility), equipment outages, staffing shortages and runway problems. The FAA status feed lists the reason for each active stop or delay program.

How long do ground stops last?

Most last 30 minutes to a few hours. The FAA often posts an expected end time and can extend or lift it early.

Do I get compensation for a delayed flight?

In the U.S., airlines don't owe cash compensation for delays, though many offer meals or hotels for delays they cause. In Canada, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations can require compensation for delays within the airline's control. In the EU and UK, EC 261 can apply.

What if I miss my connection?

If both flights are on one ticket, the airline must rebook you at no cost. Ask for the next available flight, including partner airlines.

Copy-paste scripts

Hi, my flight [FLIGHT #] on [DATE] was cancelled. I'd like to be rebooked on the next available flight to [CITY], including partner airlines. If none works, I'm requesting a full cash refund under DOT rules.

Hi, my flight [FLIGHT #] on [DATE] was cancelled and I'm not accepting the rebooking offered. Under the DOT refund rule I'm requesting a full refund to my original form of payment, not a voucher or credit. Booking code: [CODE].

Hi, my flight [FLIGHT #] was cancelled and I'm stuck overnight in [CITY]. Does your customer service plan cover a hotel or meal voucher for this disruption? Thanks for your help.

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This page links to official sources and doesn't track individual flights. Always confirm with your airline.