How to Find Current Airport Delays

The fastest way to check which airports are experiencing delays is the FAA's Flight Delay Information System at faa.gov/air_traffic/delays. This page updates every 15 minutes and shows which airports have ground stops, arrival delays, or departure delays happening at that moment. You enter the airport code (like LAX for Los Angeles or ORD for Chicago) and see the current delay length and the reason — weather, staffing, equipment, or volume.

The second source is FlightAware at flightaware.com, which tracks individual flights and shows delays by airport. FlightAware pulls data from airlines and radar, so it often catches delays a few minutes before the FAA page updates. You can search by airport code or airline and see which specific flights are delayed and by how much.

If you are checking delays for a flight you are booked on, your airline's website or app will show your specific flight status. However, if you want to know whether an entire airport is backed up — which affects all airlines — the FAA system is the official source.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA's Flight Delay Information System at faa.gov/air_traffic/delays updates every 15 minutes and shows ground stops, arrival delays, and departure delays by airport code.
  • FlightAware at flightaware.com tracks individual flights and often shows delays slightly faster than the FAA system because it uses radar data.
  • Delays are caused by weather, staffing shortages, equipment problems, or high volume, and the reason appears on both the FAA and FlightAware pages.
  • Your airline's app will show your specific flight status, but the FAA system tells you whether the whole airport is affected.
  • Delays change throughout the day, so check again 30 to 60 minutes before your flight departs to see if conditions have improved.

Understanding Delay Codes and What They Mean

When you look up an airport on the FAA system, you will see a delay code and a length of time. Ground Stop means no planes can take off or land at that airport — this is the most severe delay and usually lasts 1 to 3 hours. Arrival Delay means planes coming in are delayed, but departures may still leave on time. Departure Delay means planes leaving are delayed, but arrivals may be unaffected.

The reason listed next to the delay tells you whether the problem is temporary or likely to last. Weather delays often clear within an hour or two once the storm passes. Staffing delays can last all day. Equipment problems (a broken runway light, a taxiway closure) vary widely. Volume delays happen when an airport is straightforward too busy and planes have to wait for a gate or runway slot.

A delay of 15 minutes or less is usually not listed on the FAA system — the system only shows delays of 30 minutes or more. If you see no delay listed for an airport, it does not mean there are zero delays, only that delays are under 30 minutes.

Major Airports That Delay Frequently

Some airports delay more often than others because of weather patterns, runway capacity, or traffic volume. New York area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) experience delays roughly 40 percent of summer days because of thunderstorms and high volume. San Francisco (SFO) delays frequently in summer due to fog. Denver (DEN) and Chicago (ORD) delay often in winter because of snow and ice.

These airports do not delay every day, but if you are flying through one during peak season (summer for most airports, winter for mountain and Midwest hubs), check the FAA system the morning of your flight. A delay at one of these airports can cascade — if your connecting flight is supposed to arrive at a busy hub, a delay there can make you miss your connection even if your first flight leaves on time.

What to Do If Your Airport Is Experiencing Delays

If the FAA system shows your departure airport is delayed, contact your airline before heading to the airport. Many airlines will rebook you on a later flight or a different route at no cost if delays are widespread. Calling or using the airline app is faster than showing up and waiting in line.

If you are already at the airport, go to your airline's ticket counter or gate agent. They can see real-time delay information and may move you to an earlier flight if one is available, or confirm your current flight status. Do not rely on the departure board alone — gate agents have access to more detailed information about when your flight will actually push back.

If your flight is cancelled due to delays (rare, but it happens), your airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no cost, or refund your ticket. Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for meals or hotels — some airlines reimburse these costs if the delay is their responsibility, though policies vary.

Checking Delays Before You Book

If you are booking a flight and want to avoid delays, check the historical delay data for that airport and time of year. FlightAware has a statistics page showing average delays by airport and month. For example, if you are flying to Denver in January, you can see that winter delays average 20 to 30 minutes on that route.

Morning flights (before 10 a.m.) delay less often than afternoon flights because there is less traffic backed up from earlier in the day. If you have flexibility, booking an early departure reduces your chance of being delayed. Connecting flights at major hubs (Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago) are riskier than direct flights because a delay at the hub can cause you to miss your connection.

How Weather Affects Specific Airports

Weather is the most common cause of delays, but it affects airports differently. Thunderstorms cause ground stops at East Coast airports (New York, Washington, Atlanta) in summer because the storms move quickly and block runways. Fog causes delays at West Coast airports (San Francisco, Oakland) in summer mornings because planes cannot land safely until visibility improves. Snow and ice cause delays at northern and mountain airports (Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis) in winter.

If you see a weather delay listed on the FAA system, check the local weather forecast for that airport. If the forecast shows the weather clearing within a few hours, the delay will likely clear too. If the forecast shows the weather worsening, expect the delay to get longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see delays for a specific airline instead of the whole airport?

The FAA system shows delays for the entire airport, not individual airlines. However, FlightAware lets you filter by airline, so you can see whether your specific airline is delayed more or less than others at that airport. Some airlines handle delays better than others, but if the whole airport is delayed, all airlines are affected.

How far in advance can I see if an airport will delay?

You cannot predict delays more than a few hours ahead because weather and traffic change constantly. Check the FAA system the morning of your flight and again 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Weather forecasts can tell you if a storm is coming, but not whether it will cause a ground stop.

Do I get money back if my flight is delayed?

In the United States, airlines are not required to pay you money for delays, even long ones. You are may have access to to a rebooking on the next available flight or a refund of your ticket price. Some airlines offer meal vouchers or hotel rooms for very long delays, but this is voluntary, not required by law.

What is the difference between a delay and a cancellation?

A delay means your flight will leave late but will still leave. A cancellation means the flight will not operate at all. If your flight is cancelled, the airline must rebook you or refund your ticket. If it is delayed, you stay on the same flight unless you choose to rebook.

Will my connecting flight wait for me if my first flight is delayed?

No. If your first flight is delayed and you miss your connection, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no cost. However, you may arrive many hours late. This is why connecting flights at busy hubs carry more risk than direct flights.