Check the FAA website for active groundings right now
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publishes real-time information about flight groundings on its website at faa.gov. When a grounding is in effect, the FAA posts details on its homepage and in the Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) system, which pilots and airlines check before every flight. You can also call the FAA's Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) to ask whether a specific route or aircraft type is grounded.
A grounding typically affects all flights of a particular aircraft model nationwide, though occasionally the FAA grounds flights on specific routes or from specific airports. The reason for the grounding—whether it is a mechanical issue, a software problem, or a safety inspection—is usually stated in the FAA announcement. This tells you whether the grounding is likely to last hours, days, or weeks.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA posts active groundings on faa.gov and in the NOTAM system, which is the official source pilots and airlines use.
- You can call the FAA's Flight Service Station at 1-800-992-7433 to ask whether a specific aircraft type or route is currently grounded.
- Airlines are required to notify passengers of groundings that affect their booked flights, usually by email or phone within a few hours of the announcement.
- If your flight is grounded, your airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost or refund your ticket.
- Groundings affecting a single aircraft model typically last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the reason for the grounding.
Check your airline's website or app for your specific flight
Once you know whether a grounding is in effect, log into your airline's website or mobile app and search for your confirmation number. The flight status will show whether your flight is cancelled, delayed, or still scheduled. If a grounding affects your aircraft type, the airline will usually update the status within a few hours of the FAA announcement, though sometimes it takes longer if the airline is still figuring out how to rebook passengers.
If your flight status has not changed yet but you know a grounding is in effect, contact the airline directly by phone or chat. Airlines sometimes lag behind in updating their systems, and a customer service representative can tell you when ready whether your flight will be cancelled or rebooked. Have your confirmation number ready when you call.
What happens to your flight if a grounding is announced
When the FAA grounds an aircraft type, airlines must stop flying that model until the FAA lifts the grounding. If you are booked on a grounded aircraft, your airline has three options: rebook you on a different aircraft on the same route, rebook you on a later flight using a different aircraft, or refund your ticket. The airline chooses which option to offer, but you have the right to refuse the rebooked flight and take the refund instead.
Airlines typically rebook passengers on the next available flight, which might be the same day or several days later depending on how many other passengers are affected and how many spare aircraft the airline has. If the grounding lasts more than a few days, the airline may offer you a hotel room and meals while you wait, though this is not required by law—it depends on the airline's policy and how long the delay is.
How long groundings usually last
The length of a grounding depends entirely on why the FAA issued it. A grounding for a software issue might last a few days while engineers test a fix and the FAA reviews it. A grounding for a structural or mechanical problem can last weeks or months while the manufacturer designs a repair, tests it, and gets FAA approval. The FAA's announcement usually includes information about what is being investigated, which gives you a sense of the timeline.
During the grounding, check the FAA website every few days for updates. The FAA will announce when the grounding is lifted, and airlines will resume flights with that aircraft type. Some airlines may take an extra day or two to get their grounded aircraft back into service, so do not be surprised if flights do not resume when ready after the FAA lifts the grounding.
Track groundings that might affect future trips
If you have a flight booked weeks or months in advance and you want to know whether the aircraft type has a history of groundings, you can search for that information online. Aviation news sites like Aviation Safety Network and FlightRadar24 maintain records of past groundings. You can also search "[aircraft model] grounding" to see whether that type has been grounded recently.
This information is useful mainly for peace of mind—it does not tell you whether a future grounding will happen. However, if an aircraft type has been grounded multiple times in the past year, it may be worth asking your airline whether you can switch to a flight using a different aircraft type, especially if your trip is time-sensitive.
What to do if your flight is cancelled due to a grounding
If your flight is cancelled because of a grounding, your airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. If no flights are available for several days, ask the airline whether it will cover hotel and meal costs while you wait. Some airlines cover these costs automatically; others only cover them if you ask or if the delay is more than a certain number of hours.
Keep all receipts for meals, hotels, and transportation if you have to pay out of pocket. You may be able to submit these to the airline for reimbursement, though policies vary. If the airline refuses to rebook you or refund your ticket, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation at dot.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a grounding affects my specific flight?
Check your airline's website with your confirmation number to see your flight status. If the status shows cancelled or significantly delayed, contact the airline to ask whether it is due to a grounding. You can also check the FAA website to see which aircraft types are grounded, then ask the airline what aircraft your flight uses.
Can I get a refund if my flight is grounded?
Yes. If your flight is cancelled due to a grounding, you can choose either a rebooked flight or a refund. The airline must offer you one of these options. If you choose a refund, the airline must process it within a set timeframe, though the exact timeline varies by airline and ticket type.
Will I be compensated for missing work or other costs because of a grounding?
No. The FAA grounding itself is not considered the airline's fault, so airlines are not required to pay compensation for missed work, hotel costs, or other expenses beyond rebooking or refunding your ticket. However, some airlines may offer travel credits or other gestures as goodwill.
How often do flight groundings happen?
Groundings are rare. Most years see only a handful of nationwide groundings affecting commercial aircraft. When they do happen, they usually last days to weeks. You can check the FAA website or aviation news sites to see the history of past groundings.
What if my airline will not rebook me or refund my ticket?
Contact the airline's customer service department in writing and reference the grounding. If the airline still refuses, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation at dot.gov. The DOT can investigate and require the airline to comply with its obligations.