No, not all flights are grounded right now — but some routes or airports may be
When you hear "flights are grounded," it usually means a specific airport, airline, or region has stopped departures and arrivals, not the entire country. A ground stop might affect one airport for a few hours, or it might affect multiple airports across a region for longer. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues ground stops when weather, safety concerns, or system failures make flying unsafe at that moment.
To know whether your flight is affected, you need to check three things: your specific airport, your airline, and the current FAA status. A ground stop in Denver does not affect flights in Atlanta. A weather delay at one terminal does not ground the whole airport. The fastest way to find out is to check your airline's website or app directly, or to look at the FAA's real-time status page.
Key Takeaways
- Ground stops affect specific airports or regions, not all flights nationwide, and usually last a few hours unless weather is severe.
- Your airline's website or app shows your flight status in real time and is faster than calling or checking news sites.
- The FAA's Flight Delay Information System shows which airports have active ground stops and why.
- If your flight is grounded, your airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost, or refund your ticket.
- Weather, mechanical issues, and air traffic control problems are the most common reasons for ground stops.
Where to check your flight status right now
Your airline's website or mobile app is the most direct source. Log in with your confirmation number and last name, and you will see your flight's current status — on time, delayed, cancelled, or grounded. Most airlines update this information every few minutes during disruptions. You do not need to call; the app tells you what you need to know.
The FAA's Flight Delay Information System (at faa.gov/air-traffic/real-time-information) shows which airports have active ground stops, the reason for each stop, and how long it is expected to last. This page updates continuously and covers all major U.S. airports. If your airport is listed, you will see whether the stop is due to weather, staffing, equipment, or another cause.
FlightAware and similar tracking sites show real-time flight status and let you search by flight number, route, or airport. These sites pull data from the FAA and airlines, so the information is current. However, your airline's own system is always the official source for your specific booking.
Why flights get grounded and how long it usually takes
The FAA grounds flights when conditions make takeoff or landing unsafe. Severe thunderstorms, heavy snow, high winds, and low visibility are the most common weather reasons. Ground stops also happen when air traffic control systems go down, when staffing is too low to handle the volume of planes, or when a mechanical or safety issue affects multiple aircraft.
Most ground stops last between one and four hours. Weather-related stops often end once the storm passes or visibility improves. System outages or staffing issues may resolve faster or slower depending on the cause. During peak travel seasons or when multiple airports are affected, delays can stretch longer. The FAA publishes an estimated duration when it issues a ground stop, though that estimate often changes as conditions change.
If your flight is grounded, your airline is required to rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. If no flights are available that day, the airline must offer you a refund or a rebooking on a later date. You are not charged a change fee for a ground stop — it is not your fault or the airline's fault.
What to do if your flight is grounded
First, check your airline's app or website to see the new status and any rebooking options. Many airlines automatically rebook passengers on the next available flight, and you will see this in your app. If you have a choice of flights, you can select a different one through the app or by calling the airline.
If the ground stop will make you miss a connection, contact your airline when ready — either through the app, by phone, or at the airport. Tell them your full itinerary. They can rebook you on a different route or airline if needed, and they will not charge you for the change. If you are already at the airport, go to your airline's ticket counter; they can rebook you faster than the phone line.
Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for meals or hotels if the ground stop forces you to stay overnight. Some airlines cover meals and lodging during long ground stops, though policies vary. Ask your airline what they will cover before you spend your own money.
Ground stops versus delays — what is the difference
A ground stop means no planes are taking off or landing at that airport right now. All flights are held on the ground until the stop is lifted. A delay means your flight will depart or arrive later than scheduled, but it will still fly. A delay might be 30 minutes, two hours, or longer, depending on the cause.
A ground stop is more serious than a delay because it affects every flight at that airport at the same time. When a ground stop lifts, hundreds of planes try to take off at once, which can cause a backlog of delays even after the stop ends. A delay might affect only your flight or a few flights, while a ground stop affects all of them.
If you see your flight listed as "grounded" or "ground stop in effect," it will not depart until the FAA lifts the stop. If you see "delayed," your flight will still go, just later. Your airline's app will tell you which one applies to your flight.
How to prepare for a possible ground stop
Before you travel, check the weather forecast for your departure and arrival cities. If severe weather is expected, arrive at the airport extra early — ground stops often happen without warning, and early arrival gives you more options if your flight is affected. read your airline's app before you go to the airport so you can check your status and rebook yourself without waiting in line.
If you are traveling during a season known for weather disruptions — winter in northern states, hurricane season in the South, or spring storms in the Midwest — build extra time into your schedule. If you have a connection, book flights at least two hours apart on the same airline when possible; the airline will rebook you on their own flights if you miss a connection due to a ground stop.
Sign up for flight alerts through your airline's app. You will get a notification if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or grounded, and you can rebook when ready instead of finding out at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if my flight is grounded?
You can request a refund if the ground stop causes your airline to cancel your flight or if you decide not to take the rebooking they offer. However, if the airline rebooks you on another flight the same day, you are not may have access to to a refund — you are may have access to to the flight you paid for, just at a different time. If the rebooking is more than 24 hours later, you can choose a refund instead.
Will I lose my seat if I do not rebook when ready?
No. During a ground stop, your airline holds your reservation. You have time to rebook through the app, by phone, or at the airport. However, if the ground stop lasts many hours and flights fill up, your rebooking options may be limited. Rebooking as soon as you know about the ground stop gives you more choices.
What if the ground stop happens after I am already at the airport?
Go to your airline's ticket counter or gate agent. They can rebook you on the next available flight, arrange meals or lodging if the stop is long, and answer questions about your specific situation faster than the phone line. If you are already at the gate, the gate agent will announce the ground stop and tell you what to do.
Is a ground stop the same as a weather delay?
No. A weather delay means your flight is delayed because of weather, but it will still depart. A ground stop means no flights are taking off or landing until the FAA lifts the stop. Weather is one reason for a ground stop, but not the only one. A ground stop is more disruptive because it affects all flights at once.
How do I know if a ground stop is happening right now?
Check your airline's app or website first — it will show your flight's status. Then check the FAA's Flight Delay Information System at faa.gov/air-traffic/real-time-information to see if your airport has an active ground stop. Both update continuously, so you will see the current status within a few minutes of when it changes.