Why flights are delayed today

Flight delays right now depend on where you are and what time of day you're flying. The most common causes are weather—thunderstorms, fog, and wind that make takeoff or landing unsafe—and airport congestion, which happens when more planes want to land than the airport can handle in sequence. Air traffic control also occasionally holds planes on the ground to manage the flow of traffic into busy airports.

Unlike a cancellation, a delay means your flight is still going, just later than scheduled. Most delays last between 15 minutes and two hours. If you're at the airport, the airline's departure board will show your flight's current status. If you're checking from home, your airline's website or app will show the real-time delay, usually updated every 10 to 15 minutes.

The time of year matters too. Summer brings more thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, especially in the Southeast and Midwest. Winter can bring ice and snow, which require runway de-icing and reduce how many planes can land per hour. Spring and fall are generally smoother, though they're not immune to delays.

Key Takeaways

  • Weather and airport congestion cause most delays; check your airline's website or app for your flight's current status and expected departure time.
  • Delays under two hours are typical; the airline will announce any changes at the gate or through your airline app.
  • If your flight is delayed more than three hours, you may be may have access to to compensation depending on the cause and your airline's policy.
  • Arriving at the airport early gives you a buffer if your flight is delayed before you board, but it won't change the delay itself.
  • Thunderstorms and fog cause the most unpredictable delays because they can develop quickly and clear just as fast.

How to check your flight's real-time status

Your airline's website or mobile app is the fastest source. Log in with your confirmation number and last name, and you'll see your flight's current status—on time, delayed, or cancelled—plus the expected departure time. Most airlines update this information every 10 minutes when a delay is active.

If you don't have your confirmation number, you can search by flight number and date. The flight number appears on your booking email and your boarding pass. Enter it into your airline's search box, and the system will pull up all flights with that number that day.

Third-party sites like FlightAware and FlightRadar24 also show delays and let you track where a plane is in real time. These sites pull data from the FAA and airlines, so the information is current. However, your airline's own app is usually the first to post gate changes or cancellations, so check there first if you're already at the airport.

What causes the longest delays

Thunderstorms are the single biggest cause of afternoon and evening delays, especially in summer. Storms can pop up in 20 minutes and ground all flights for an hour or more. The airport doesn't resume normal operations until the storm passes and the runway is clear. Fog, which is common near coasts and in winter, also causes long delays because planes can't land safely in very low visibility.

Congestion at major hubs—airports like Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and New York—creates delays even on clear days. When a large airline has many flights arriving at the same time, air traffic control spaces them out, which means planes sit on the tarmac or circle in a holding pattern. This cascades: a delay in one city affects connecting flights in the next city.

Mechanical issues on the plane itself cause delays too, though they're less common than weather. If a pilot or mechanic spots a problem during pre-flight checks, the airline must fix it before the plane can leave. These delays are usually 30 minutes to two hours, depending on what needs repair.

Delays by time of day and season

Afternoon and evening flights are more likely to be delayed than morning flights. Thunderstorms develop in the afternoon, and by evening, any earlier delays have compounded—a delay in the morning affects the afternoon schedule because planes are out of position. Morning flights, especially before 10 a.m., tend to run closer to schedule.

Summer (June through August) has the most delays overall because of afternoon thunderstorms. The Southeast and Midwest see the most storm activity. Winter brings delays from snow and ice, but they're usually shorter because snow is predictable and airports prepare runways in advance. Spring and fall have fewer delays, though neither is immune.

Holiday travel periods—Thanksgiving week, Christmas, and New Year's—see more delays straightforward because more people are flying. Airports and airlines are busier, so any small problem (a late arrival, a weather hold) affects more flights.

What to do if your flight is delayed

First, check your airline's app or website to see how long the delay is expected to be. If it's under an hour, stay near your gate. If it's longer, you can move around the airport, but keep your phone on and watch for updates—airlines sometimes shorten delays faster than expected.

If your delay is long enough that you'll miss a connection, contact your airline right away. You can call the number on your boarding pass, use the airline's app, or go to the ticket counter. The airline will rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. Don't wait until you land to ask; the sooner you notify them, the more options you'll have.

If you're delayed more than three hours and the delay was the airline's fault (not weather), you may be may have access to to compensation under Department of Transportation rules. The amount varies by flight distance and airline policy. Check your airline's website for their specific policy, or contact them after you land to ask about compensation.

How weather delays work

When a thunderstorm is near an airport, the FAA orders a ground stop—no planes can take off until the storm passes. Planes already in the air land normally, but new departures are held. This can last 30 minutes to several hours depending on how fast the storm moves. Pilots and air traffic controllers watch the radar constantly and resume flights as soon as it's safe.

Fog is trickier because it can linger for hours. Airports have equipment that lets planes land in low visibility, but there are limits. If visibility drops below a certain threshold, the airport must reduce how many planes land per hour, which creates a backlog. Fog often burns off by mid-morning, so delays from early-morning fog usually clear by 10 or 11 a.m.

Snow and ice require runways to be de-iced before planes can land or take off. De-icing takes time, and it can be needed multiple times if snow keeps falling. Airports prioritize de-icing based on which runways are in use, so some flights may wait while others are processed.

Delays at connecting airports

If you're connecting, a delay at your first airport can cause you to miss your connection. Most airlines build in a buffer—usually 45 minutes to an hour between flights—but a long delay can eat through that. If you're going to miss your connection, the airline will rebook you on the next flight to your final destination.

If you booked two separate tickets (one flight with one airline, the next flight with another), the airlines are not responsible for getting you to your final destination if you miss the connection due to a delay on the first flight. You would have to purchase a new ticket for the second flight. This is why it's safer to book connecting flights through one airline or to allow extra time between separate bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do most flight delays last?

Most delays last between 15 minutes and two hours. Weather delays can be longer—thunderstorms might ground flights for an hour or more. Mechanical delays are usually 30 minutes to two hours. Delays under 15 minutes are often not announced; the airline just pushes back a few minutes later than scheduled.

Can I get money back if my flight is delayed?

Compensation depends on the cause and your airline's policy. If the delay was the airline's fault (mechanical issue, crew problem, overbooking), you may be may have access to to compensation under Department of Transportation rules. If the delay was caused by weather or air traffic control, the airline is not required to pay compensation. Check your airline's website or contact them after you land to ask about your specific situation.

Should I arrive at the airport earlier if delays are common?

Arriving early won't change a delay that happens after you've checked in. However, arriving early gives you time to get through security and to your gate without rushing, which is helpful if there are long security lines. If your flight is delayed before you board, you'll already be at the gate and won't miss the announcement.

What's the difference between a delay and a cancellation?

A delay means your flight is still going, just later than scheduled. A cancellation means the flight is not operating at all that day. If your flight is cancelled, the airline will rebook you on another flight or refund your ticket. Delays are much more common than cancellations.

Can I change my flight if there's a long delay?

Yes. If your flight is delayed significantly and you no longer want to fly, contact your airline and ask to change to a different flight or to receive a refund. Policies vary by airline and ticket type, so check your airline's website or call them directly. Basic economy tickets often have stricter change policies than full-price tickets.