Air Traffic Control Delays Today
Track live air traffic control delays, FAA ground stops, ground delay programs, airport restrictions, and National Airspace System delay status across major U.S. airports. Status refreshes automatically every 5 minutes from official FAA NAS data.
Current Air Traffic Control Delays
U.S. airports currently reporting an active FAA air traffic control delay event. Columns show delay type, average and maximum delay, the FAA-reported cause, and last update time.
| Airport | Delay Type | Avg Delay | Max Delay | FAA Reported Cause | Last Updated | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Check ATC delay status by airport:
What Are Air Traffic Control Delays?
An air traffic control delay occurs when the FAA restricts the flow of aircraft into or out of an airport — or through a section of U.S. airspace — because of weather, congestion, runway limitations, staffing constraints or airspace restrictions. Rather than allowing aircraft to stack up in the air, the FAA issues delay programs that hold flights on the ground at their departure airports, reducing fuel burn and safety risk. A single air traffic control delay event can affect dozens or hundreds of flights simultaneously across the National Airspace System.
Air traffic control delays are distinct from individual airline delays. An ATC delay is a systemic restriction applied by the FAA to an entire class of flights, whereas an airline delay is specific to a single flight and may result from maintenance, crew scheduling, or other carrier-controlled factors.
How FAA Ground Stops Work
A Ground Stop is an FAA traffic management initiative that halts all departures to a specific airport until conditions improve. Ground Stops are typically issued when destination conditions deteriorate rapidly — such as a sudden thunderstorm, low ceiling, or reduced visibility — and are usually shorter in duration than a Ground Delay Program.
When a Ground Stop is in effect, flights already airborne are generally allowed to continue. New departures to the affected airport are held at the gate or held on the taxiway and released only once the FAA lifts the Ground Stop or transitions to a Ground Delay Program.
How Ground Delay Programs Affect Flights
A Ground Delay Program (GDP) is an FAA tool used when an airport has reduced arrival capacity for a prolonged period. Inbound flights are assigned a controlled departure time and held at their origin airports — absorbing the delay on the ground instead of in the air.
GDPs are one of the most common types of FAA air traffic control delay. If your flight is departing to an airport with an active GDP, your departure may be held for 30 minutes to several hours depending on the severity of the capacity reduction.
How ATC Delays Affect Arrivals and Departures
Airport Delay Programs Tracked
FlightStatus.flights monitors the following FAA delay program types for all major U.S. airports:
- Ground Delay Program (GDP)
- Ground Stop (GS)
- Arrival Delay Advisory
- Departure Delay Advisory
- Airspace Flow Program (AFP)
- Airport Closure
- Center Delay Program (CDP)
- Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP)
Air Traffic Control Delays — FAQs
What is an FAA air traffic control delay?
An FAA air traffic control delay occurs when the FAA restricts the flow of aircraft into or out of an airport or through U.S. airspace due to weather, congestion, runway limitations, or staffing constraints. ATC delays are managed through Ground Delay Programs, Ground Stops, and Arrival/Departure Delay Advisories issued via FAA NAS.
How does an FAA Ground Stop work?
A Ground Stop halts all departures to a specific airport until conditions improve. Ground Stops are typically short in duration and issued when conditions at the destination deteriorate rapidly. Flights already en route are generally permitted to continue.
What is a Ground Delay Program and how does it affect my flight?
A Ground Delay Program holds inbound flights at their origin airports when the destination airport has reduced capacity. Each flight is assigned a controlled departure time. Ground delays can range from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the severity of the capacity restriction.
Which airports are currently affected by air traffic control delays?
FlightStatus.flights tracks live ATC delay status for over 100 U.S. airports including JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD, MIA, SJU, ATL, DFW, EWR, and BOS. The live table above shows all airports currently reporting active delays, updated every 5 minutes.
Will I receive compensation for an air traffic control delay?
Generally no. ATC delays are classified as extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control. U.S. DOT rules do not require compensation for ATC delays, though airlines may offer rebooking or meal vouchers voluntarily.