A nationwide FAA ground stop disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers, contributing to more than 15,000 canceled or delayed flights on Friday and Saturday.
The FAA ordered the stop at about 4 p.m. ET on Friday after telecommunications problems affected several air traffic control centers. It was the largest nationwide ground stop in 25 years. The restriction was lifted at 8:15 p.m., but delays continued as airlines worked to get aircraft and crews back into position.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said travelers could still face cancellations and delays while airlines rearranged flights and moved planes and crews to where they were needed. He advised passengers to check directly with their airline for updates.
Travel expert Gary Leff also urged passengers to monitor their flight status through airline websites and other tracking tools. He said the disruption could have lingering effects because planes that missed earlier departures, and the crews assigned to them, might not be in place for later flights.
The five largest U.S. airlines have outlined options for customers affected by the ground stop.
American Airlines is offering a travel waiver for customers who booked by Nov. 12 and were scheduled to fly Nov. 13 or 14. Eligible passengers, including those with Basic Economy tickets, can change their trip without a fee if they keep the same origin, destination and cabin. Customers may instead cancel and request a refund, or book travel through Nov. 17, provided they make the change by Nov. 14. They can also postpone travel for up to a year without a change fee, though a difference in fare may apply.
Delta is waiving change fees for passengers whose flights were scheduled for Nov. 13 or 14. Customers can choose a new flight departing by Nov. 21 without paying extra.
United is waiving both change fees and fare differences for customers booked to fly on Nov. 13 or 14. Eligible passengers can rebook for travel through Nov. 20, provided they keep the same departure and arrival cities.
Southwest customers with tickets for Nov. 13 through Nov. 16 can rebook or fly standby within five days of their original departure date at no additional charge. They may request a full refund if their flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
JetBlue is waiving change fees, cancellation fees and fare differences for flights scheduled on Nov. 13 or 14. Customers can rebook through Nov. 18.
Under Department of Transportation rules, passengers whose flights are canceled can receive a full refund if they decline a voucher or other compensation offered by the airline.
Passengers dealing with delayed or missing checked bags may also be entitled to a refund of the baggage fee if the bag is lost or significantly delayed. The Transportation Department says airlines could face enforcement action if they unreasonably refuse to treat a bag as lost after an unreasonable period of time.
