- FlightAware counted 4,467 U.S. cancellations and 10,079 delays at about 9 p.m. ET Friday, after the stop ended at 8:15 p.m.
- United waives fare differences for new flights departing Nov. 12 to 20; Delta allows changes through Nov. 21.
- Cancel only if you want a credit: a flight the airline cancels earns an automatic cash refund after a 3-hour domestic change.
The FAA lifted its nationwide ground stop at 8:15 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, but the backlog it created runs into Saturday, Nov. 14. At about 9 p.m. ET, FlightAware showed 4,467 U.S. cancellations and 10,079 U.S. delays, and JetBlue said it expects more cancellations Saturday. Delta, United, American, Southwest, Alaska and Frontier have each published some form of change waiver. Spirit and Hawaiian had no stand-alone statement we could find.
The stop itself lasted about 4 hours 20 minutes, starting at 3:53 p.m. ET. Our main report on the nationwide ground stop covers what the FAA and the Transportation Secretary have said about the cause. This article covers only what comes next: what each airline has told passengers about Saturday, and what you can do before you leave for the airport.
One caution on timing. Every airline statement below was published Friday evening, while carriers were still restarting operations. Terms can change overnight, and the airline’s own app is the final word on your flight. Where an airline had said nothing we could find, the table says so instead of guessing.
Recovery is slow because aircraft and crews are out of position after hours on the ground and about 600 diversions, according to Cirium. Duffy said getting back to normal depends on crew availability. A flight listed for Saturday morning can still be cancelled.
The same logic applies to your connection: if your first leg is delayed, rebook the whole trip rather than hoping the second leg waits.
Airline by airline: Saturday status and waivers
The table lists only statements we found reported as of about 9:15 p.m. ET Friday. “No statement found” means exactly that, not that the airline is operating normally.
What the waivers mean in practice
The longest windows belong to Delta (new travel through Nov. 21) and United (new flights Nov. 12 to 20). United and Alaska say outright they will waive the fare difference for the same cabin and cities. Delta says changes cost nothing extra but says a fare difference applies outside its window. American is the tightest: the new flight must leave between Nov. 13 and 17, and you must rebook by Nov. 14.
Frontier is the least generous. It waives the change fee, but you pay any fare difference and get nothing back if the new fare is cheaper. A cancel-and-credit choice with Frontier or Alaska means a credit, not cash, so do not cancel outright if you still want a refund (see below).
Where the numbers stood Friday night
At about 9 p.m. ET FlightAware counted 4,467 U.S. cancellations and 10,079 U.S. delays. Cirium put total disrupted flights above 10,000, with about 600 diverted. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said more than 3,500 planes were in the air when the stop was issued. For comparison, the Jan. 11, 2023 outage that halted domestic departures until about 9 a.m. ET produced 11,000+ delays and 1,300+ cancellations. We found no newer count at the time of writing and will not extrapolate to Saturday.
Before you go to the airport Saturday
- Check your flight in the airline app first. A flight that is still listed can be cancelled after you arrive.
- Rebook online before you queue. Help desks at JFK and Denver had long lines Friday; the app is faster and keeps your place.
- Confirm your waiver applies. Check the purchase date, travel date and origin on the airline’s alert page. American’s covers only listed airports.
- Do not cancel if you want money back. Let the airline cancel the flight; the refund rule only applies then.
- Keep receipts for meals and hotels. Airlines are not federally required to pay for them when the cause is outside their control.
- Pack for a long day: charge your phone, carry medication and snacks, and keep your ticket confirmation handy.
If your flight is cancelled: refunds
Under the Department of Transportation refund rule in force since Oct. 28, 2024, an airline must give an automatic cash refund when it cancels or significantly changes your flight and you decline the alternative. Significant means 3+ hours domestic or 6+ hours international. Refunds are due within 7 business days to a credit card and 20 calendar days otherwise, whatever the cause. Our guide to refund and rebooking rights after the FAA outage walks through the claim step by step, and the ground stop explainer shows why delays continue after a stop ends.
If a visa or ESTA clock is running
Visitors whose authorized stay ends this weekend should not assume a missed flight is harmless. Travelers prevented from leaving by an emergency under the Visa Waiver Program can request a period of satisfactory departure of up to 30 days (8 CFR 217.3). Our guide on what to do when stranded with an expiring ESTA or I-94 covers the steps. Keep your cancelled-flight notice as proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will flights be cancelled on Saturday after the FAA ground stop?
Yes, more cancellations are expected. JetBlue said it expects disruptions to continue into Saturday, including additional cancellations, and the FAA warned recovery would take time. FlightAware showed 4,467 U.S. cancellations at about 9 p.m. ET Friday.
How long did the FAA nationwide ground stop last?
About 4 hours 20 minutes. The FAA ordered it at 3:53 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, and canceled it at 8:15 p.m. ET as air traffic control centers recovered.
Can I change my Delta flight for free after the ground stop?
Yes. Delta lets passengers traveling Nov. 13 or 14 change flights at no extra cost, with the change and new departure on or before Nov. 21. Outside that window you pay any fare difference, or you can cancel for an eCredit.
Does United waive the fare difference for the FAA outage?
United waives change fees and fare differences when you rebook onto a United flight departing Nov. 12 to 20, 2026, in the same cabin and between the same cities. You can get a full refund if you cancel or do not travel.
What is American Airlines’ waiver for the ground stop?
American waives change fees on all fares, including Basic Economy, for tickets bought by Nov. 12 for travel Nov. 13 or 14. The new flight must leave Nov. 13 to 17 between the same cities, and a fare difference applies if you change cabins.
Do I get a cash refund if my flight is cancelled by the outage?
Yes. Under the DOT rule in force since Oct. 28, 2024, you get an automatic cash refund if the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you decline the alternative. Credit-card refunds are due within 7 business days.
Does the airline have to pay for a hotel after the FAA ground stop?
Not by federal rule. Airlines are not federally required to pay for hotels or meals when the cause is outside their control, as with an FAA outage. Keep receipts and ask the airline whether it offers vouchers.
What if my ESTA stay ends while flights are cancelled?
Visa Waiver Program travelers prevented from leaving by an emergency can request a period of satisfactory departure of up to 30 days under 8 CFR 217.3. Keep your cancelled-flight notice as proof.
