What Is a Ground Stop?
A ground stop is an FAA traffic management action that holds all departures headed to a specific airport. If your destination airport has a ground stop, your flight won't leave the gate until it's lifted — even if conditions are fine where you are.
Why does the FAA issue ground stops?
- Severe weather — thunderstorms, heavy snow, dense fog, or ice reduce the number of planes that can land safely.
- Low visibility — when pilots can't see the runway (IFR/LIFR conditions), the FAA slows arrival rates, backing up traffic system-wide.
- Traffic volume — too many planes trying to arrive at once. Common at hubs like ORD, ATL, and JFK during peak hours.
- Runway closures — construction, equipment failure, or a disabled aircraft on the runway.
- Staffing — ATC staffing shortages can reduce capacity at both airports and regional centers.
How long do ground stops last?
Most ground stops last 30 minutes to 3 hours. The FAA publishes an expected end time and reviews it periodically. Weather-related stops can extend multiple times if conditions don't improve. The longest ground stops — like those from major storms — can last most of a day.
What should you do?
- Stay at the gate. Your flight will depart once the stop lifts — usually with short notice.
- Check the end time. The FAA publishes expected end times. See live delay status on Flight Check.
- Don't rebook too early. Most stops clear within 1-2 hours. If it extends past 3 hours, consider rebooking.
- Know your rights. Under DOT rules, airlines must provide meal vouchers for delays over 3 hours. See our passenger rights guide.
Ground stop vs. ground delay program
A ground stop completely halts departures to an airport. A ground delay program (GDP) is less severe — flights still depart, but they're assigned specific departure times to spread arrivals out evenly. GDPs are more common and usually cause shorter delays (15-90 minutes).