FAA Ground Stop: Passenger Rights and Refund Rules

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide halt to all departing flights on Friday, November 13, 2026. The agency cited extraordinary circumstances and safety as the reasons for the stop. Flights already in the air were permitted to land, while international departures were handled on a case-by-case basis.

This was the third time in history that the FAA has halted all departures across the country. The first occurred on September 11, 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center. The second happened on January 11, 2023, after a failure in the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions system. That system provides pilots with critical safety data, including runway closures and temporary flight restrictions.

The disruption has left many passengers facing canceled trips or missed connections. The U.S. Department of Transportation outlines specific rules for refunds in these scenarios. If an airline cancels a flight and a passenger decides not to travel or accept a new itinerary, the passenger is generally entitled to a refund. This applies to nonrefundable tickets as well.

The refund covers the unused portion of the trip. If a passenger has already flown part of the journey, the refund is limited to the remaining segments. Airlines may offer vouchers or rebooking options, but passengers are not required to accept a voucher if they are owed a cash refund.

A delay can also trigger refund rights if the change is substantial. For domestic itineraries, the new scheduled arrival time must be at least three hours later than the original plan. For international itineraries, the threshold is six hours. Other changes, such as an earlier departure time or a different origin airport, may also qualify a passenger for a refund.

Passengers who miss a connection should contact their airline immediately. If the flights are on a single ticket, the airline compares the new arrival time to the original booking. A short delay on the first leg can cause a missed connection that results in a four-hour late arrival for a domestic trip. That meets the threshold for a significant change. If the passenger rejects the new itinerary, a refund for the unused transportation may apply.

Travelers with separate tickets for connecting flights face more complexity. The second airline is not automatically required to rebook or refund the passenger if the first carrier caused the delay. The fare rules of the separate contract usually apply. Passengers should contact both airlines and any booking agents to ask about waivers or assistance.

Airlines are not universally required by federal rules to put passengers on alternative flights, though many offer to do so. Before accepting a replacement flight, passengers should consider whether they still want to travel. If they accept the new flight and later cancel it for personal reasons, the original disruption does not automatically guarantee a refund.

Hotels, meals, and ground transportation are not guaranteed by federal law during a ground stop. Since an FAA halt is generally outside an airline's control, some carriers may not offer their standard assistance for controllable delays. Passengers should ask the airline how it classifies the delay. If paying for expenses out of pocket, travelers should get approval in writing and keep all receipts.

Refunds to credit cards are generally due within seven business days. Refunds to other payment methods, such as debit cards, are due within 20 calendar days. Airlines must also refund fees for paid services, like seat selection, that were not provided. If issues remain unresolved, passengers can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation, which requires airlines to acknowledge complaints within 30 days.