Where to check flight delays in real time

The fastest way to check if a flight is delayed is to go directly to your airline's website or app and enter your confirmation number or flight number. Most airlines update their status every 15 minutes during the day. If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, log into that site instead — it pulls data from the airline and shows delays there too.

The FAA Flight Delay Information System at faa.gov/air_traffic/delays/ shows ground stops and airport-wide delays by location. This tells you whether delays are happening at your departure or arrival airport right now, which matters because an airport delay affects all flights leaving from there. The site updates every five minutes.

For a broader picture, FlightAware.com and FlightRadar24.com both show live flight tracking and delays for any airline. You do not need to book through them — enter any flight number and you see its current status, how late it is running, and why (weather, mechanical, air traffic). These sites are free and update continuously.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airline's website or app shows your specific flight's status and is updated every 15 minutes, making it the most reliable source for your booking.
  • The FAA website displays airport-wide delays and ground stops that affect all flights at that location, updated every five minutes.
  • FlightAware and FlightRadar24 let you track any flight number in real time and see the reason for delays without needing a booking confirmation.
  • Delays caused by weather or air traffic congestion usually affect multiple flights at the same airport, so checking the airport status matters as much as checking your flight.

Why delays happen and how long they usually last

Most delays fall into three categories: weather, mechanical issues, and air traffic congestion. Weather delays — thunderstorms, fog, snow — can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how fast the system moves. Mechanical delays are usually shorter, between 30 minutes and two hours, because the airline wants to get the plane back in service. Air traffic delays at busy airports like Atlanta or Dallas happen during peak hours (usually 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and typically clear within an hour once traffic thins.

If your flight is delayed more than three hours, you may be may have access to to compensation under Department of Transportation rules, but only if the airline caused the delay — not weather or air traffic. The airline will tell you the reason, and you can use that to decide whether to pursue a claim later. Do not expect the airline to volunteer this information; you have to ask or check your receipt.

What to do while you wait for a delayed flight

First, set up notifications on your airline's app so you get a text or push alert the moment your flight status changes. This is faster than refreshing the website yourself. Most airlines let you do this from the flight details page.

If the delay is longer than two hours, check your airline's policy on meals and hotel rooms. Some airlines provide vouchers for food or hotels if the delay is their fault; others do not. Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier rarely cover anything. Full-service airlines like Delta and United usually cover meals for delays over three hours and hotels if you are stuck overnight. Your ticket receipt or the airline's website lists their specific policy.

If you are connecting to another flight, contact your airline when ready to ask whether your connection is protected. If the delay makes you miss your next flight, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost — but only if you tell them before you land. Do not assume they are watching your connection.

When to rebook or cancel instead of waiting

If your flight is delayed more than four hours and you have flexibility, it is often worth asking the airline to rebook you on an earlier flight the next day or a different route that gets you there sooner. Airlines will do this for free if the delay is their fault, and sometimes even if it is weather. The worst they can say is no.

If you decide to cancel instead of taking a delayed flight, you are may have access to to a refund of your ticket price under DOT rules — but only if you cancel before the flight departs. Once the flight leaves without you, the refund becomes more complicated. Call the airline directly rather than trying to cancel online; a representative can process a refund faster and answer questions about rebooking.

Delays at major US airports right now

The airports with the most frequent delays are Atlanta (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Denver (DEN). These airports handle more flights per hour than others, so even small problems cascade into delays. If you are flying out of or into one of these airports, check the FAA website before you leave for the airport — a ground stop there can add hours to your day.

Seasonal delays are predictable: summer thunderstorms cause delays at Denver and Phoenix; winter snow shuts down Chicago and Minneapolis; fog delays San Francisco year-round in the morning. If you are flying during these seasons to these cities, build in extra time and expect delays as normal, not as a surprise.

How airlines decide which flights to delay

When an airport is congested or weather is bad, the FAA issues a ground stop or a ground delay program. This means all flights heading to that airport are held on the ground at their departure airport until the destination can accept them. The airline decides the order in which flights depart, and they usually prioritize flights that are already late, flights with tight connections, and their own frequent-flyer members.

If your flight is delayed because of a ground delay program, the delay is not the airline's fault — it is the FAA's decision to manage traffic. You are not may have access to to compensation, but you are may have access to to a refund if you decide not to fly. The airline will tell you the reason for the delay; ask them directly if it is a ground delay program so you know whether compensation applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get money back if my flight is delayed?

The Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund your ticket if you cancel due to a delay of more than three hours. You are not may have access to to cash compensation for the delay itself unless the airline caused it — weather and air traffic delays do not may have access to. Some airlines offer vouchers or meal credits as a courtesy, but this is their choice, not a requirement.

What is the difference between a delay and a cancellation?

A delay means the flight is still happening but will depart late. A cancellation means the flight is not happening at all. If your flight is cancelled, the airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost or refund your ticket. Cancellations usually happen because of mechanical problems or severe weather that makes flying unsafe.

Do I have to stay at the airport while my flight is delayed?

No. If your flight is delayed more than two hours, you can leave the airport. Set up notifications on your airline's app so you know when to come back. Most airlines will not hold the flight for you if you are not there, so give yourself at least 45 minutes to get back before departure time.

Will my airline rebook me on a different flight if I miss my connection due to a delay?

Yes, if the delay was the airline's fault or if you were booked on the same airline for both flights. Call the airline before you land to tell them you will miss your connection; they will put you on the next available flight. If you booked the two flights separately through different airlines, each airline handles their own rebooking, and you may have to pay for a new ticket on the second airline.

How do I know if my delay is weather or the airline's fault?

The airline will tell you the reason when you ask. Weather delays, mechanical delays, and air traffic delays are listed separately on your receipt or in the app. If the reason says "weather" or "air traffic," you are not may have access to to compensation. If it says "mechanical" or "crew," the airline caused it and you may be may have access to to compensation for delays over three hours.