FAA Ground Stop Strands 1.5 Million Travelers: How to Recover Your Travel Costs

An estimated 1.5 million travelers had their flight plans disrupted on Friday, November 13, 2026, after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a rare nationwide ground stop. That figure comes from flight data firm Cirium, which tracked passengers scheduled to depart U.S. airports that day after the stop was declared. The ground stop lasted more than four hours.

Although the ground stop was lifted at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday, the ripple effects could be substantial. Aircraft are out of position for the weekend, and many travelers are still working to reach their destinations or obtain refunds for flights and other expenses.

Craig Joseph, a travel writer for NerdWallet, was among those affected. He was flying out of Asheville, North Carolina, for a one-night trip to a college football game when he learned his flight was delayed by three hours. Because it was a short trip and he had booked with frequent flyer miles that could be redeposited into his account, he canceled. Moments later, his flight—and every other flight on the departures board—was changed to canceled.

He canceled his hotel before the deadline as well, so his only unrecoverable cost is the football ticket. Not all travelers will be so fortunate.

If your travel plans were impacted, here is how you can pursue a refund.

If You Need a Refund or a New Flight

Do not count on reaching customer service by phone. Major airlines have been overwhelmed with customers requesting assistance.

As of Friday evening, Southwest’s automated phone number indicated it would take several hours to receive a callback from a human. American Airlines’ automated line estimated at least two hours to reach a representative. Frontier Airlines did not provide an option to speak with a human, instead directing callers to a chatbot.

Skip the chatbots and long waits. Instead, take these steps:

Check the airline’s app or website, and review any emails or alerts. Most airlines are proactively notifying affected passengers with rebooking options, and you may have already been automatically rebooked.

• Request a refund or rebook online or through the airline’s app. Every major airline has issued a travel waiver due to the ground stop, which provides added flexibility to rebook without a change fee, and often without charging fare differences. More on that below.

• Review your travel insurance, including coverage that may be attached to a credit card. Because the ground stop was outside the airlines’ control, they may not offer vouchers for hotels or meals. If you paid these costs out of pocket, you may be eligible for reimbursement through your credit card’s travel insurance or a standalone travel insurance policy. More on that below, too.

Know the Airline Policies

If you still intend to proceed with your travel, most airlines are allowing affected passengers to rebook new flights without owing a change fee or fare difference, which is more generous than usual. Most airlines are offering flexible change policies to travelers whose original travel dates were November 13 or 14, and whose airfare was purchased on or before November 12 or 13, 2026.

Some airlines are even more flexible. For example, Southwest’s expanded rebooking policy applies to flights scheduled through Monday, November 16.

Keep in mind that each airline has its own limitations on when you must take the new flight, so confirm with your airline that you book within the allowed window. Below are the current links to travel waivers and support being offered by several major airlines.

Consider Alternate Routes

Right now, you and everyone else who was supposed to be on that Friday afternoon flight are competing for limited seats on aircraft flying the same route over the next few days. If the flight you need is booked, get creative. Consider whether a nearby airport might work, or whether a train or rental car is a viable alternative.

If You Need Money Back for Other Bookings and Expenses

If your flight disruption also cost you a hotel night, a rental car, a concert or sports ticket, or another prepaid part of your trip, here is your best chance at recovering that money as well:

Contact the hotel or rental property directly. Although not guaranteed, your host may waive a cancellation penalty or no-show fee for a documented flight disruption like this one. Keep your canceled or delayed flight confirmation handy, and ask politely.

• For nonrefundable, nontransferable event tickets such as concerts or sports games, you are unlikely to receive a direct refund. Check the specific event’s refund policy first, but your best bet in most cases is reselling the ticket through a platform like StubHub, SeatGeek, or Vivid Seats rather than counting on a refund from the original seller.

• Keep every receipt and email confirmation. Whether you are asking a hotel for an exception or filing an insurance claim, having your original flight confirmation, the cancellation or delay notice, and your other prepaid reservations documented in one place will make every conversation faster.

Look to Travel Insurance

If you have a standalone travel insurance policy: Travel delay and missed connection benefits may cover you for a disruption like this one. If you already hold a policy, contact your provider’s 24-hour emergency assistance line directly rather than waiting to file a claim after the fact.

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