FAA Ground Stop Halts US Departures: What Agency-Booked Travelers Should Check Now

The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop on Friday, November 13, 2026, after communication problems affected several Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Departures were halted across the United States for several hours, and airlines reported cancellations and delays that were expected to run into the weekend. If you booked through a travel agency, contact your agent first, then check the airline's own waiver page, because rebooking rules differ by carrier.

What the FAA said happened

Quick facts: Friday, November 13, 2026; nationwide ground stop; cause described as communication issues. The FAA's own statement says it issued the stop for all U.S. airports and that technicians were investigating. The statement was marked preliminary and subject to change, so details may still shift.

CBS News quoted the FAA's language that the stop was issued "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety." The agency posted the stop on its status site, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described a communication issue affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers in a post quoted by CBS News.

How long the stop lasted and why cancellations continued

Quick facts: lifted after a few hours; cancellations and delays continued afterward. Headlines from CBS and CNBC reported that the FAA lifted the ground stop after several hours, while cancellations and significant delays were expected to continue. CP24's live coverage carried updates as the stop unfolded.

The practical effect is that flights already in the air often kept going, while aircraft and crews that were out of position took longer to recover. That pattern means a flight that was not cancelled on paper can still depart late and miss a connection.

What airlines said about rebooking waivers

Quick facts: waivers were issued by several carriers, with different deadlines and rules. TheTravel reported that United waived change fees and fare differences for new United flights departing between November 12 and November 20 in the same cabin and between the same cities. Delta allowed passengers with November 13 or 14 flights to rebook at no added fee if the change was made by November 21.

The same report described Southwest's offer to keep a reservation, rebook, or fly standby within five days of the original date, and Frontier's waiver for tickets bought on or before November 13 for travel through affected airports from November 13 to 15. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines issued a joint policy covering November 13 travel. Waivers are paraphrased here, so check each airline's current page before you rely on one.

Why the cause is still unsettled

Quick facts: the FAA has not confirmed a cause beyond communication issues. TheTravel reported that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin cited an air traffic control communications outage, and that the problem was "believed to be linked" to new air traffic control AI systems introduced earlier that week. That link is the outlet's reporting, not a finding from the FAA. CBS also reported that the White House saw no sign of a deliberate act.

Until investigators publish findings, avoid treating any single explanation as settled. For travelers, the more useful question is what your ticket allows, not why the stop happened.

Checklist for travelers with a November 13 or 14 trip

Quick facts: check your status, check the waiver, and keep records. Confirm the flight status with the airline app first, and note that NBC News reported the FAA lifted the stop after hours of disruption. Read the waiver's dates, which are often tied to the original travel date or to a window such as November 21. Save screenshots of the waiver and any rebooking confirmation, because agents and airlines may ask what policy applied on the day.

If you need to cancel instead of rebook, ask whether the airline offers a refund or a travel credit. Some carriers' waivers give credit rather than cash, and third-party bookings may need to go through the original seller, as Alaska's policy specifies for certain tickets.

What this means for travelers who book through a travel agency

Quick facts: your agent can often rebook faster than an airline app, but only within the waiver terms. An agent can search alternative flights, check fare differences, and confirm which airline waiver applies to your ticket. Ask the agency three questions the same day, and track updates on CNN live coverage: which airline issued the ticket, whether the waiver covers the new flight, and what deadline applies to the change. If your agent booked a multi-leg trip, ask them to check every leg, since a waiver for the first flight may not cover a connection.

A travel agency is most useful when a disruption is complicated, such as a connection through a hub that stopped departures or a return flight that falls outside the waiver window. For a practical walk-through of what an agent does after a cancellation, see our earlier guide, what a travel agent does when your flight is cancelled. To discuss your own booking, contact United Travels at travel@unitedtravels.ca.

People also ask

Did the FAA ground stop affect all US flights? The FAA's statement said it issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports. Some reports described departures as halted, while airborne flights continued to their destinations. Check your own flight status for the precise situation on your route.

Will airlines refund a cancelled flight from this stop? Refund rights depend on the airline and the ticket. Several carriers offered waivers for changes, and some described refunds or credits when a flight was cancelled or significantly delayed. Confirm the exact terms in writing with your airline or your agent before you give up a seat.

Do I need a new ticket if I rebook through a waiver? Usually a waiver lets you change the existing ticket rather than buy a new one. You may still pay a fare difference if the new flight falls outside the waiver's cabin, city, or date rules.

Can a travel agent get a refund for me faster than the airline? An agent can request a refund on your behalf, but airlines process refunds on their own timelines. Ask your agent to confirm the refund route and the expected timing.

Should I rebook now or wait for updates? If your flight is cancelled or your connection is at risk, rebooking early usually gives you more seat options. Waiting can help only if the airline has not yet cancelled your flight, so check with your agent about the deadline and any fare difference first.

Facts checked against current sources as of November 14, 2026; confirm before booking, traveling or deciding.