How to find out which airports are cancelling flights today

The fastest way to check which airports are cancelling flights is to visit the FAA's Flight Delay Information page at faa.gov/air_traffic/delays_weather. This page updates every few minutes and shows which airports have ground stops, departure delays, or arrival delays happening right now. It does not list every cancelled flight — it shows airport-wide conditions that are causing cancellations.

Your airline's website or app is the second place to check, because it shows cancellations specific to your flight number. Go to "Manage My Booking" or "Flight Status" and enter your confirmation number. The airline will tell you whether your flight is cancelled, delayed, or on time. If it is cancelled, the airline's page will also show rebooking options.

The FAA page tells you the reason for delays at each airport — weather, staffing, equipment, or air traffic volume. This matters because weather delays can clear in hours, while staffing shortages may last days. Knowing the cause helps you decide whether to wait or rebook.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA's Flight Delay Information page shows which airports have active cancellations and delays, updated every few minutes.
  • Your airline's website or app shows whether your specific flight is cancelled and offers rebooking options when ready.
  • The reason for cancellations — weather, staffing, equipment — affects how long the disruption will last.
  • Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and New York see cancellations more often because more flights pass through them.
  • Signing up for flight alerts from your airline sends you notifications before you check the website yourself.

Why major airport hubs cancel more flights

Airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, and New York's three major airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) handle more flights per hour than smaller airports. When one flight is delayed or cancelled at a hub, it creates a ripple — the plane that was supposed to land there is now late, so the next flight out is delayed, and so on. A single weather event or staffing shortage at a hub can cascade into hundreds of cancellations across the country.

Smaller regional airports have fewer flights, so a single cancellation affects fewer downstream connections. If you are flying through a major hub during bad weather or a known staffing shortage, expect higher odds of disruption.

What causes cancellations at specific airports

Weather is the most common reason. Thunderstorms, heavy snow, fog, or high winds can force an airport to reduce the number of planes it can handle per hour. The FAA's page will show "Ground Stop" or "Arrival Delay" with the weather reason listed. These delays often clear within hours once the weather passes.

Staffing shortages at air traffic control towers or among ground crews can cause cancellations that last days or weeks. If you see a delay reason listed as "Staffing" or "Operational," contact your airline to ask how long they expect the disruption to last. Some airlines will rebook you on a flight the next day or through a different airport.

Equipment problems — a broken runway light, a malfunctioning radar system, or damage to the terminal — can force an airport to close runways or reduce capacity. These are usually fixed within hours, but occasionally take longer.

Air traffic volume means the airport is straightforward too busy. This happens on holiday weekends or when multiple flights are scheduled to land at the same time. The FAA manages this by spacing out departures, which creates delays rather than outright cancellations, but some flights may be cancelled if they cannot fit into the new schedule.

How to monitor cancellations in real time

Set up flight alerts through your airline's app or website. Most airlines let you choose email, text, or push notifications. You will get an alert if your flight is delayed or cancelled before you have to call or check the website. This is especially useful if you are not at the airport yet.

Follow the FAA's social media accounts (Twitter/X: @FAANews) for updates on major disruptions. The FAA posts when ground stops are issued or lifted, which helps you understand whether the problem is getting better or worse.

If you are at the airport, the departure boards show cancellations in real time. Look for a red "CANCELLED" label next to your flight number. If you see this, go to the airline counter when ready — rebooking happens first-come, first-served, and lines form quickly after a cancellation is announced.

What to do if your flight is cancelled

Contact your airline as soon as you know your flight is cancelled. Call the phone number on your ticket, use the airline's app, or go to the ticket counter if you are at the airport. The airline will offer you one of three options: rebook on another flight to your destination, rebook on a flight to a nearby airport, or receive a refund.

If the cancellation was caused by weather or an act of God, the airline is not required to pay you compensation under U.S. law, but they must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra charge. If the cancellation was caused by the airline's own problem — mechanical failure, crew scheduling error, or operational issue — you may be may have access to to compensation depending on your airline and ticket type. Ask the airline directly what they will cover.

Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for meals or hotels if you have to stay overnight. Some airlines will reimburse these costs if the cancellation was their fault; others will not. Check your airline's policy on their website or ask at the counter.

Airports with frequent cancellations

Certain airports cancel flights more often than others because of geography or traffic volume. Denver International sees weather-related cancellations in winter. San Francisco International has frequent fog delays. New York area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) experience cancellations year-round due to high volume and occasional winter storms. Chicago O'Hare has winter weather disruptions. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson cancels flights when thunderstorms move through in summer.

If you are booking a flight to or through one of these airports during their problem season, build extra time into your schedule. Book flights earlier in the day when possible — morning flights are less likely to be cancelled because they have not been affected by earlier delays. If you have a connection, choose a longer layover to reduce the risk of missing your second flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see which specific flights are cancelled, not just which airports?

Yes. Go to your airline's website, enter your confirmation number under "Manage My Booking," and you will see your flight's status. FlightAware.com and FlightRadar24.com also show individual flight cancellations and delays. These sites pull data from airlines and the FAA and update every few minutes.

If my flight is cancelled, do I have to accept the airline's rebooking?

No. You can ask for a refund instead, though some airlines will only refund to a credit that you can use for a future flight, not cash. Ask the airline what refund options they offer. If you paid with a credit card, you can also dispute the charge with your card company if the airline refuses to refund.

How far in advance do airlines usually announce cancellations?

It varies. Weather-related cancellations are often announced the night before or early morning of the flight. Mechanical or staffing cancellations can happen hours before departure, sometimes even at the gate. Signing up for flight alerts means you will know as soon as the airline announces it, rather than finding out at the airport.

What if the FAA page shows delays but my airline says my flight is on time?

The FAA page shows airport-wide conditions, not individual flights. Your airline may have scheduled your flight during a window when the airport is operating normally, or your plane may be arriving from elsewhere and is not affected by the current delay. Trust your airline's flight status page for your specific flight.

Are some days of the week more likely to have cancellations?

Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and the day before holidays see higher cancellation rates because more people are flying. If you have flexibility, flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings reduces your exposure to crowded schedules. Weather patterns also matter — winter months have more weather-related cancellations, and summer thunderstorm season affects airports in the South and Midwest.