FAA DELAYS

FAA airport delays occur when the Federal Aviation Administration issues traffic management initiatives to control air traffic flow. These include ground stops (halting all departures to an airport), ground delay programs (assigning pre-departure delays), and airspace flow programs. FAA delays are typically caused by weather, air traffic volume, runway construction, equipment issues, or staffing constraints at air traffic control facilities.

You can check FAA flight delays in real-time on FlightQueue. We pull data directly from official FAA sources and display active ground stops, ground delay programs, and operational delays for 450+ US airports. Premium users receive updates every 1-10 minutes, while free users get updates every 15-30 minutes. You can also check the FAA's official ATCSCC website at fly.faa.gov.

FAA ATC (Air Traffic Control) delays are caused by several factors: severe weather (thunderstorms, snow, fog, high winds), air traffic volume exceeding airport or airspace capacity, staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities, runway or taxiway closures due to construction or maintenance, equipment outages, and security incidents. Weather-related issues account for approximately 70% of all FAA delays.

A ground stop completely halts all departures to a specific airport, typically during severe weather or emergencies. No flights may depart until the ground stop is lifted. A ground delay program (GDP) is less restrictive - flights can still depart but are assigned pre-departure delays to manage arrival rates. GDPs spread out arrivals over time rather than stopping them entirely, resulting in more predictable but longer delays.

FAA delays are generally classified as "extraordinary circumstances" beyond airline control, so airlines are not required to provide compensation under US law. However, airlines may offer meal vouchers, hotel accommodations for overnight delays, or rebooking on alternative flights. For delays over 3 hours, you can request a full refund if you choose not to travel. Travel insurance may cover FAA delay-related expenses depending on your policy.

FAA ground delay durations vary based on the cause. Weather-related ground delay programs typically last 1-4 hours until conditions improve. Ground stops usually last 30 minutes to 2 hours for weather events, though severe storms can extend them longer. Volume-based delays at busy airports like EWR, JFK, and LGA often last 30-90 minutes during peak periods. FlightQueue shows expected end times when available.

The airports with the most FAA delays are typically in the Northeast corridor due to high traffic density and weather: Newark (EWR), JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), and Boston (BOS). Other frequently delayed airports include San Francisco (SFO) due to fog, Chicago O'Hare (ORD) due to volume and weather, and Atlanta (ATL) due to thunderstorms. These airports often experience cascading delays that affect flights nationwide.

Yes, FlightQueue displays real-time FAA delay data from official sources. We track ground stops, ground delay programs, arrival/departure delays, and weather impacts for all major US airports. Premium subscribers receive faster updates (every 1-10 minutes) compared to free users (every 15-30 minutes). Our live ticker and airport pages show severity levels, delay reasons, and expected duration when available.

An FAA delays map shows a visual overview of airports experiencing delays across the country. The official FAA ATCSCC provides a map at fly.faa.gov showing ground stops, ground delay programs, and other traffic management initiatives. FlightQueue displays similar information in our live delays section, showing which airports have active delays with severity indicators and detailed information for each affected airport.

Weather is the leading cause of FAA flight delays, accounting for about 70% of all delays. Thunderstorms force route changes and reduce airport capacity. Low visibility from fog requires increased spacing between aircraft. Snow and ice require runway treatment and de-icing. High winds can close runways aligned with crosswinds. The FAA implements ground stops and delay programs to safely manage traffic during adverse weather conditions.