What a ground stop means and how it affects your flight
A ground stop at Newark Airport (EWR) means the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all aircraft to remain on the ground — either at the airport itself or at their departure airports — until conditions improve. During a ground stop, no planes can take off or land. If you are scheduled to fly out of Newark, your flight will not depart. If you are flying in, your plane will be held at its origin airport and will not be allowed to land.
Ground stops are temporary. They last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the reason. The most common causes are severe weather (thunderstorms, heavy snow, low visibility), runway damage or debris, air traffic control staffing issues, or security incidents. The FAA lifts the ground stop once the condition that triggered it is resolved.
A ground stop is different from a delay. A delay means your flight is still scheduled but will depart or arrive later than planned. A ground stop means nothing moves at all until the FAA says it can.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA announces ground stops on its website at faa.gov/air_traffic/nas/status, which updates every 15 minutes and is the official source.
- Your airline will also notify you by email or text if your flight is affected, though the FAA website is faster.
- Ground stops usually last between 30 minutes and a few hours, and you should not assume your flight will depart until the FAA lifts the stop.
- If a ground stop is in effect when you are supposed to depart, you have the right to rebook on another airline at no extra cost under DOT rules.
How to check the FAA status page for Newark
The official source for ground stop information is the FAA's National Airspace System (NAS) status page at faa.gov/air_traffic/nas/status. This page updates every 15 minutes and shows active ground stops, ground delays, and other restrictions across all major U.S. airports.
When you open the page, look for Newark Airport listed under its code, EWR. If a ground stop is active, it will appear in red with the reason (weather, equipment, staffing, security) and the expected duration. If there is no entry for EWR, no ground stop is in effect. The page also shows whether the stop is expected to be lifted soon or extended.
Bookmark this page if you fly from Newark regularly. It is faster than calling the airline or checking flight tracking apps, because it is the source those apps pull from.
What your airline will tell you during a ground stop
Once a ground stop is announced, your airline will send you a notification by email, text, or push notification if you have the airline's app installed. This message will tell you that your flight is delayed due to a ground stop and may give an estimated departure time. However, that estimate is often not firm — it changes as the FAA updates conditions.
Do not rely on the airline's first estimate. Check the FAA status page directly to see when the stop is expected to lift. The airline's message is confirmation that your flight is affected, but the FAA page is where the actual timeline lives.
If you do not receive a notification within 30 minutes of a ground stop being announced, call your airline's customer service line. They can confirm whether your specific flight is affected and what your options are.
Your rights if a ground stop delays or cancels your flight
If a ground stop causes your flight to be cancelled or delayed more than three hours, you have rights under the Department of Transportation (DOT) rules. You can rebook on another airline at no extra cost, or you can request a refund of your ticket price.
To rebook on another airline, contact your original airline and ask to be booked on the next available flight to your destination, even if it is with a competitor. The airline must do this at no charge. If you choose a refund instead, the airline must process it within seven business days.
Ground stops themselves are considered extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control, so you are not may have access to to compensation money (called "denied boarding compensation"). However, you are still may have access to to rebook or refund. If the airline refuses either option, file a complaint with the DOT at dot.gov.
How long ground stops usually last
Most ground stops last between 30 minutes and two hours. Severe weather ground stops tend to be longer because the FAA must wait for the storm to pass or visibility to improve. Equipment or runway damage stops are often shorter because they can be resolved quickly once repairs are made or debris is cleared.
The FAA updates the expected lift time on its status page as conditions change. If the stop is extended, you will see the new time posted. Do not assume your flight will depart at the original scheduled time — assume it will not depart until the FAA lifts the stop and your airline confirms a new departure time.
What to do while you wait for a ground stop to lift
If you are at the airport, stay near your gate and keep your phone charged. Your airline will announce updates over the public address system, but you should also check the FAA status page and your airline app every 15 minutes. If the ground stop is extended beyond a few hours, ask the airline about meal vouchers or hotel accommodations — you may be may have access to to them depending on the reason for the delay and your airline's policy.
If you have not left home yet and a ground stop is in effect, do not go to the airport. Wait until the FAA lifts the stop and your airline confirms a new departure time. Going to the airport during a ground stop wastes time and money on parking or transportation.
If you are connecting through Newark and a ground stop affects your incoming flight, ask your airline whether your connection is still possible. If not, ask to be rebooked on the next available flight to your final destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if a ground stop cancels my flight?
Yes. If your flight is cancelled due to a ground stop, you can request a full refund of your ticket price from your airline. The airline must process the refund within seven business days. You can also choose to rebook on another flight instead of taking a refund.
Will my airline automatically rebook me if a ground stop cancels my flight?
Not automatically. You must contact your airline and ask to be rebooked. They will put you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. If you do not ask, they may assume you want to keep your ticket for a later date.
How do I know if a ground stop is still in effect?
Check the FAA status page at faa.gov/air_traffic/nas/status. It updates every 15 minutes and shows whether a ground stop is active at Newark (EWR) and when it is expected to lift. Your airline app will also show delays, but the FAA page is the official source.
What is the difference between a ground stop and a ground delay?
A ground stop means no planes can take off or land at all. A ground delay means planes can take off and land, but all departures are delayed by a set amount of time (for example, all flights delayed 45 minutes). A ground delay is less severe than a ground stop.
Can I get compensation money if a ground stop delays my flight?
No. Ground stops are considered extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control, so you are not may have access to to compensation money under DOT rules. However, you can rebook on another airline or request a refund at no cost.