FAA Ground Stop: All US Flights Grounded on November 13

TL;DR

• The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop at 3:54 pm ET on Friday, November 13.

• All departures at US airports are on hold "until further notice."

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed a communication issue affecting all of the country's Air Route Traffic Control Centers.

• Flights already in the air can keep going, and inbound international flights are being handled case by case.

• There's no official time for flights to resume. Check your airline's app before heading to the airport.

Why Did the FAA Ground All Flights?

The FAA's alert to airlines cited "extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety." Secretary Duffy said the order followed "a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers," adding that "FAA technicians are investigating the issue."

Those centers manage planes once they're cruising between airports, so when they lose communications, the safe move is to stop sending new flights up. Minutes before the nationwide order, Chicago O'Hare and Midway were already under their own ground stop for an "equipment outage." The FAA hasn't said whether the two are connected.

There have been reports of drone attacks at UK military airports as part of the cause, but nothing has been officially confirmed.

What Does a Ground Stop Mean for My Flight?

If you haven't taken off yet, you're staying put for now. The FAA's alert says "all departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice." Planes already in the air aren't being forced down. Flightradar24 counted about 3,100 flights in the air and headed for US airports when the order came in.

The FAA's advisory lists 11:30 pm ET as the scheduled end, but the "until further notice" part is what matters. Even after it's lifted, expect delays and cancellations to ripple into tonight and tomorrow while planes and crews get back where they need to be.

What Should I Do If I'm Flying Today?

• Check your airline's app or website before you leave for the airport. That's where updates show up first.

• Turn on flight notifications so you hear about changes right away.

• If your flight gets canceled, rebook in the app instead of waiting in line at the counter.

• If your flight is canceled and you decide not to travel, ask for a refund rather than a credit. You're entitled to your money back.

• Hang on to receipts for meals or hotels in case your airline covers them.

Has This Happened Before?

Nationwide ground stops are rare. The last big one was on January 11, 2023, when an outage in the FAA's Notice to Air Missions system paused departures across the country for about two hours.

FAQ: FAA Ground Stop November 13, 20226

Why did the FAA ground all flights on November 13?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said a communication issue affected all of the country's Air Route Traffic Control Centers. The FAA cited "extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

When will flights resume after the FAA ground stop?

There's no official time yet. Departures are on hold until further notice, so check your airline's app for updates.

Are flights already in the air affected?

No. Flights in the air can continue, and inbound international flights are being handled case by case.

Can I get a refund if my flight is canceled?

Yes. If your airline cancels your flight and you choose not to travel, you're entitled to a refund.