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FAA Nationwide Ground Stop: November 13, 2026

What happened, why the FAA stopped departures, and what to do if the ground stop changed your flight.

Short answer

On Friday, November 13, 2026, the FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop for departing flights. It lifted the order at about 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, after more than four hours. The FAA cited communication issues that affected several Air Route Traffic Control Centers. The ground stop is over, but cancellations and delays can continue while airlines recover.

Is the ground stop still active?

No. The FAA feed shows no ground stop at the 50 major US airports that we track.

See the live FAA ground stop map ยท All FAA delays today

Source: FAA National Airspace System status.

Timeline

  1. Friday afternoon (Eastern time)

    The FAA orders a nationwide ground stop for departing flights. Reports give two start times, 2:54 p.m. and 3:54 p.m. Eastern. The first advisory cites "extraordinary circumstances" and reasons of safety.

  2. During the stop

    Flights already in the air continue to their destinations. Flight trackers counted between about 3,500 and 4,000 aircraft in the air when the order started.

  3. Later that afternoon

    The FAA says communication issues are affecting several Air Route Traffic Control Centers. The Transportation Secretary says overloaded air traffic control network equipment gave inconsistent readings and the stop was a precaution.

  4. About 8:15 p.m. Eastern

    The FAA lifts the ground stop after more than four hours. Airlines start to move aircraft and crews back into position.

  5. The weekend of November 14 and 15

    Cancellations and long delays continue while airlines recover. Check your flight with your airline before you go to the airport.

Why did the FAA stop all departures?

The first FAA advisory gave "extraordinary circumstances" and reasons of safety. The FAA then said that communication issues affected several Air Route Traffic Control Centers, the facilities that control aircraft between airports.

The Transportation Secretary said that air traffic control network equipment was overloaded and gave inconsistent readings. He said the FAA did not lose all of its radar or telecommunications, and that the stop was a precaution.

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What to do if your flight was affected

  • Check the status of your flight with your airline before you go to the airport.
  • If the airline cancelled your flight, ask it to rebook you or to refund the unused ticket.
  • Keep receipts for meals, hotels and transport. Ask the airline what it pays for.
  • Allow more time at the airport. See live security wait times and the FAA delay map.
  • Read about flight delay compensation.

Questions about the November 2026 ground stop

Why did the FAA issue a nationwide ground stop on November 13, 2026?

The FAA cited communication issues that affected several Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Its first advisory gave "extraordinary circumstances" and reasons of safety. The Transportation Secretary said network equipment was overloaded and the stop was a precaution.

How long did the November 2026 ground stop last?

More than four hours. It started on Friday afternoon and the FAA lifted it at about 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. Reports give two start times, 2:54 p.m. and 3:54 p.m. Eastern.

Is the ground stop still active?

No. The FAA lifted the nationwide ground stop on the evening of November 13, 2026. The status box on this page shows the ground stops that are active at major US airports now.

Can I get a refund if my flight was cancelled by the ground stop?

If the airline cancelled your flight and you choose not to travel, ask the airline for a refund of the unused ticket. US airlines do not have to pay extra compensation for delays that air traffic control causes. Check the policy of your airline for meals and hotels.

When was the last nationwide ground stop before this one?

January 11, 2023, when the FAA paused domestic departures after its NOTAM system failed. Before that, the FAA grounded all flights on September 11, 2001.

Sources

This page is a summary of the FAA statement and news reports. It was last reviewed on November 14, 2026.

Is there a nationwide ground stop right now? ยท What is a ground stop?