Travelers across the United States faced flight disruptions after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop on Friday, November 13, 2026. The unusual decision halted departing flights at airports across the country following air traffic control communications problems.

The FAA cited extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns while technicians investigated. Aircraft already in the air could continue toward their destinations, while departing traffic was told to remain on the ground.

The disruption raised questions for passengers: Why were flights held, did the order mean every flight was cancelled, and when could departures resume? Here is what has been confirmed and what remains uncertain.

Aircraft waiting at an airport during the FAA nationwide ground stop in November 2026.
The FAA ground stop held departures while air traffic control communications were investigated.

Why Are US Flights Cancelled Today?

The immediate disruption followed an air traffic control communications problem. The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop, instructing aircraft operators to hold departures. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said communication problems affected air traffic control facilities and that FAA technicians were investigating.

The Associated Press reported that the issue affected all 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers, which direct aircraft traveling between regions of the United States. These centers coordinate aircraft movements, help maintain safe separation and communicate instructions to pilots.

A communications problem across these facilities can make normal traffic management more difficult. The FAA's stated safety rationale was to hold departures while the issue was investigated. Officials had not publicly established the precise technical cause in the initial reports, and those reports did not confirm a cyberattack.

What Happened to the FAA Air Traffic Control System?

The disruption involved communications within the air traffic control network. Air Route Traffic Control Centers manage aircraft traveling through controlled airspace between airports and coordinate with pilots and other facilities.

A problem affecting this network can create operational challenges even when runways and aircraft remain available. The FAA's departure hold was a safety measure; it did not mean that airports nationwide were physically closed. Duffy said technicians were investigating. At the time of the initial reports, the precise technical cause had not been made public. There was no confirmed evidence that the incident was caused by a cyberattack.

Is Every US Airport Affected?

The nationwide order applied to departing flights at US airports, making it broader than an airport-specific delay. It did not mean that every aircraft was ordered to land immediately. Aircraft already airborne could continue to their destinations, while inbound international flights were handled case by case.

The practical impact differed by airline, airport, flight schedule and aircraft location. Passengers could face delayed departures, boarding interruptions, cancellations or rescheduling, missed connections, and longer waits as airlines reorganized their operations. Travelers should check their individual flight rather than assume every flight was cancelled.

When Will US Flights Resume?

The initial advisory was reported with an operational window extending into Friday night, November 13, Eastern Time. Its listed end time should not be treated as a promise that all flights would immediately resume: the advisory message instructed departures to remain stopped until further notice, and a scheduled window can change.

The FAA must determine when operations can safely resume and coordinate updated instructions with airlines and airports. Even after a ground stop ends, airlines may need time to reposition aircraft and crews, restore schedules and manage gate availability. Delays or selected cancellations can continue during that recovery.

There is no confirmed time when every US flight will return to normal. Check the FAA National Airspace System Status and your airline for current, flight-specific information.

Update — November 14, 2026:
The FAA's public Daily Air Traffic Report page showed November 13 as its latest report when checked for this update. We could not verify a separate official notice documenting the nationwide ground stop's exact lift time. Do not assume the restriction is active or lifted based only on the original advisory; consult live FAA status and your airline before traveling.

Could US Flights Remain Disrupted on Saturday?

Yes. Even after the FAA permits departures, disruption can continue while airlines work through the backlog. A delayed aircraft may be needed for a later trip from another airport, and a missed first leg can affect later flights on the same aircraft.

Crew schedules are another factor. Unexpected delays can affect crew availability and subsequent trips. Airlines may cancel selected flights as they restore their schedules, so passengers traveling on Saturday, November 14, should check their airline's app, email and flight notifications before leaving for the airport.

Is This the First Nationwide FAA Ground Stop?

No. Nationwide departure restrictions are rare, but the United States had a nationwide departure halt in January 2023 after an outage affected the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system. That was a separate incident. The initial explanation for the November 2026 event concerned air traffic control communications problems.

Reuters covered the November ground stop and the unusual scope of the departure restrictions. Do not assume the 2026 event had the same cause as the 2023 NOTAM outage.

What Should Passengers Do If Their Flight Is Cancelled?

If your flight is affected, contact the airline directly and check the status of every leg in your itinerary.

  • Check flight status: Use your airline's website or app to see whether the flight is delayed, cancelled or still scheduled.
  • Confirm before traveling: Look for current departure information before heading to the airport.
  • Contact the airline: Ask about available rebooking options if your flight is cancelled.
  • Check connections: Confirm that connecting flights remain part of your updated itinerary.
  • Keep notifications enabled: Airlines may send schedule changes and alternative flight details by app, email or text.

Keep booking confirmations and receipts for additional expenses, and follow instructions from the airline and airport.

Where Can You Track US Flight Delays and Cancellations?

For a specific trip, the airline operating the flight is the best source for its current status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are US flights cancelled today?

The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop on November 13, 2026, after communications problems affected air traffic control facilities. The order held departures while technicians investigated.

Did the FAA stop all flights in the United States?

The nationwide order held departing traffic. Aircraft already airborne could continue toward their destinations, and incoming international flights were handled case by case.

When will US flights resume?

The time when all flights will return to normal has not been confirmed. The initial advisory's listed window was not a guarantee of immediate resumption; check FAA status and your airline.

Will flights be delayed on Saturday, November 14?

Delays and cancellations could continue as airlines reposition aircraft and crews and restore disrupted schedules. Check your flight directly with the airline.

Is the FAA outage caused by a cyberattack?

A cyberattack had not been established as the cause in the initial reports. The publicly reported issue involved air traffic control communications problems.

How can I check whether my US flight is cancelled?

Check the operating airline's website or app for flight-specific status and the FAA's National Airspace System Status page for broader operational information.

Final Thoughts

The nationwide FAA ground stop on November 13 disrupted US departures after communications problems were reported at air traffic control centers. The FAA ordered the hold for safety while technicians investigated; the full technical cause and exact lift time were not confirmed in the information reviewed for this update.

Travelers should monitor official FAA information and check with their airlines before leaving for the airport. For a fuller explanation of the event, read our FAA nationwide ground stop report and browse the DailyUpdates archive.

This is a developing story. DailyUpdates will update this report when confirmed information about the FAA ground stop, flight cancellations and the resumption of US air travel becomes available.