Check the FAA and your airline before you book
Whether you can fly right now depends on three things: whether the FAA has issued a ground stop at your airport, whether your airline is operating flights on your route, and whether weather or other conditions are affecting departures. You cannot know any of this from a flight search engine alone. The FAA website shows active ground stops by airport code. Your airline's website or app shows whether specific flights are running. Weather services show conditions at your departure and arrival airports.
A ground stop means no planes can take off from that airport until the FAA lifts the restriction. This usually lasts a few hours but can extend longer. If your airport is under a ground stop, no airline can depart, no matter what their schedule says. If your airline has cancelled flights on your route, you cannot fly that route with that carrier today, though other airlines may still be operating.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA website (faa.gov) lists active ground stops by airport code; if your airport appears there, no flights are departing.
- Your airline's website or app shows whether your specific flight is running or cancelled, updated in real time.
- Weather, mechanical issues, crew shortages, and air traffic delays can all prevent flights from operating even when no ground stop is in place.
- If your flight is cancelled, your airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost or refund your ticket.
- Checking 24 to 48 hours before departure gives you time to rebook if your flight is cancelled.
How to check the FAA ground stop list
Go to faa.gov and look for the "Delays and Cancellations" or "Ground Stops" section. The page lists every airport currently under a ground stop, along with the reason (weather, staffing, equipment, or other) and the expected duration. Ground stops are listed by airport code — for example, JFK for New York, ORD for Chicago, LAX for Los Angeles. If your departure airport is not on the list, the FAA is not preventing takeoffs there.
Ground stops can change within minutes. If you are checking more than a few hours before your flight, check again closer to departure time. The FAA updates this page continuously during operating hours. If you cannot find the page, call your airline directly — they can tell you whether a ground stop is in effect at your airport.
Check your airline's flight status directly
Your airline's website or mobile app shows the real-time status of your specific flight. Log in with your confirmation number or ticket number, or search by flight number and date. The status will show "On Time," "Delayed," "Cancelled," or "Boarding." This is the most reliable source because it reflects cancellations, mechanical delays, and crew issues that the FAA ground stop list does not capture.
Do not rely on third-party flight tracking sites for cancellation information — they update more slowly than the airline itself. Call your airline's customer service line if the website is slow or you cannot find your flight. Most airlines have a dedicated phone line for flight status questions, and wait times are usually shorter than for rebooking calls.
Weather and other reasons flights do not operate
Even without a ground stop, your flight may not operate. Severe weather at your departure airport, your destination, or anywhere along the route can cause cancellations or long delays. Mechanical problems discovered during preflight checks can ground a plane for hours. Crew scheduling issues — a crew member becoming ill, or a crew arriving late from a previous flight — can cancel a departure. Air traffic delays at busy airports can cascade, pushing flights back throughout the day.
Check the weather forecast for both your departure and arrival cities. If thunderstorms, heavy snow, or high winds are forecast, assume delays are likely. Your airline will not cancel a flight preemptively for weather; they wait until conditions are certain. This means you may not know about a weather cancellation until a few hours before departure.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
If your airline cancels your flight, they must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. You can also request a refund of your ticket price instead. The airline must offer you one of these options — you do not have to choose when ready. If the next available flight is more than a few hours away, ask whether the airline will cover a hotel room and meals while you wait.
Do not accept the first rebooking offer if it does not work for you. Ask to see all available flights to your destination over the next 24 to 48 hours. If your airline has no seats, ask whether they will book you on a competing airline's flight. Some airlines do this automatically; others require you to ask. Keep your original ticket confirmation and any cancellation notice from the airline — you may need it to claim a refund later or to dispute a charge.
How far in advance to check
Check your flight status 24 to 48 hours before departure. This gives you enough time to rebook if your flight is cancelled, but close enough to departure that the airline has finalized the schedule. Checking more than 48 hours out may show a flight as scheduled even if it will be cancelled later. Checking the morning of your flight is too late if you need to rebook — you will be competing with hundreds of other passengers for the next available seats.
If you are flying during a period of known disruption — a major weather system, a holiday travel rush, or an airline staffing shortage — check even earlier. During these periods, airlines sometimes cancel flights 72 hours in advance to manage crew and aircraft positioning. The sooner you know, the sooner you can change your plans.
Standby flights and same-day rebooking
If your flight is cancelled and the next available flight is full, ask whether you can fly standby on an earlier flight that day. Standby means you get a seat only if a passenger does not show up. Some airlines offer this at no extra cost for cancelled flights; others charge a fee. Ask before you agree to standby — if you do not get a seat, you will be moved to the next flight, and you may end up arriving much later than planned.
If you are already at the airport when your flight is cancelled, go directly to the airline counter rather than calling. The gate agents can see all available flights in real time and can rebook you when ready. Phone lines are usually overwhelmed after a cancellation, and you may wait on hold for an hour or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if there is a ground stop right now?
Go to faa.gov and look for the ground stops section, or call your airline. Ground stops are listed by airport code and updated continuously. If your airport is not listed, the FAA is not preventing takeoffs.
Can I get a refund if my flight is cancelled?
Yes. You can request a refund of your ticket price instead of rebooking on another flight. The airline must offer you this option. Refunds typically take 7 to 14 days to appear in your original payment method.
What if my flight is delayed but not cancelled?
A delayed flight will eventually depart, though it may be several hours late. You are not may have access to to a refund for a delay, only for a cancellation. If the delay causes you to miss a connection, the airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no cost.
Should I go to the airport if my flight status says "On Time" but there is a ground stop?
No. If a ground stop is in effect, your flight will not depart, even if the airline has not yet updated the status to "Cancelled." Call your airline before leaving home to confirm whether your flight is still operating.
Can I change my flight to a different day if I am worried about cancellations?
Yes, but the airline may charge a change fee depending on your ticket type and fare rules. Check your airline's website for the change policy on your specific ticket. If you change voluntarily, you are not may have access to to a refund — only to a credit toward a future flight.