FAA Ground Stop: What It Means, How Long It Lasts, and What You Should Do

What Is an FAA Ground Stop?

A ground stop is an order from the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center that prevents aircraft from departing for one or more specific airports. During a nationwide ground stop, no flights depart from any U.S. airport.

Ground stops are different from ground delays. A ground delay program slows departures by assigning each flight a specific departure time — flights still leave, just later. A ground stop means nothing moves.

The FAA typically issues ground stops for three reasons:

• Weather — severe thunderstorms, snow, or low visibility at a destination airport
• Equipment failure — radar outages, communication system failures, or NOTAM system issues
• Security — rare, but the FAA can ground flights for national security reasons

Most ground stops affect individual airports and last 30 minutes to 2 hours. Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare — only three have occurred this century.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you're at the airport

• Stay near your gate — flights can resume quickly when the stop lifts
• Don't get in the rebooking line yet — wait for your airline to update your flight status
• Charge your phone — you'll need it for rebooking
• Screenshot your booking — you'll want proof of your original itinerary

If you haven't left for the airport

• Do not go to the airport until your flight status is confirmed as departing
• Check your airline app every 15-30 minutes for updates
• Look for change fee waivers — airlines typically post these within an hour of a major disruption

If your flight is cancelled

• You're entitled to a full cash refund — not a voucher
• Rebook ASAP — seats on tomorrow's flights fill fast
• Consider alternate airports if your primary is overwhelmed
• File a complaint with the DOT if your airline refuses a refund

How Long Do Ground Stops Last?

It depends on the cause:

• Weather-related (single airport): 30 minutes to 4 hours. These lift as soon as conditions improve.
• Equipment failure: 1-3 hours typically. The 2023 NOTAM outage lasted about 90 minutes.
• Nationwide stops: Usually 1-2 hours, but the ripple effects last 12-48 hours as aircraft and crews reposition.

The ground stop itself is just the beginning. Even after flights resume, expect:

• 2-4 hours: Heavy departure delays as queued aircraft take off in sequence
• 6-12 hours: Aircraft out of position, leading to cancellations of evening and next-morning flights
• 12-48 hours: Full recovery as airlines reposition planes and crews to their normal schedules

Your Rights During a Ground Stop

Under the DOT's 2024 automatic refund rule:

• Domestic flights delayed 3+ hours: Full refund if you choose not to fly
• International flights delayed 6+ hours: Full refund available
• Cancelled flights: Full cash refund within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 days (other payment)

Airlines may push vouchers or travel credits. You do not have to accept them. A cash refund is your legal right. If your airline refuses, file a DOT complaint — the DOT has been aggressively enforcing refund rules in 2026.

For a complete breakdown of your rights by situation, see our Passenger Rights Guide.