Your Rights During the FAA Ground Stop
The FAA nationwide ground stop on November 13, 2026 will lead to thousands of cancellations. Here is what airlines owe you — and what they'll try to get away with.
If Your Flight Is Delayed
Under the DOT's 2024 automatic refund rule:
- Domestic flights delayed 3+ hours → you're entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly
- International flights delayed 6+ hours → same rule applies
- The airline must offer the refund automatically — you shouldn't have to ask
Airlines will push vouchers. You don't have to accept them.
If Your Flight Is Cancelled
You have two options:
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1. Full cash refund — to your original payment method, within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 days (other payment)
2. Rebooking on the next available flight — at no additional cost, even if it's a more expensive fare class
You do NOT have to accept:
- Travel credits or vouchers (unless you want them)
- A flight that departs more than 24 hours later without additional compensation
- A rebooking to a different airport without ground transportation
What Airlines Must Provide if You're Stranded
If you're stuck overnight due to a cancellation:
- Airlines are not legally required to provide hotel or meals for FAA-caused disruptions (this is different from airline-caused delays)
- However, most major airlines have voluntarily committed to providing meals and hotels — check your airline's customer service plan
- Keep all receipts — you may be able to claim reimbursement
How to Get Your Refund
1. Don't accept a voucher at the gate — say you want a cash refund
2. Use the airline app to request a refund (faster than phone)
3. If the airline refuses, file a DOT complaint — the DOT has been enforcing refund rules aggressively in 2026
4. Credit card chargeback is your last resort if the airline stonewalls
What FlightCheck Recommends
- Screenshot everything: your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, any texts from the airline
- Note the exact time your flight was cancelled — this matters for refund eligibility
- If rebooking, try to get on the first flight tomorrow morning, not a later flight
- Consider alternate airports — if JFK is a mess, check EWR or LGA
Check our live delay tracker for real-time status at your airport.
Full passenger rights guide →