The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued ground stop orders at several key airports late Wednesday as airlines struggled with the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in recent years. Travelers faced widespread disruptions, including brief halts at New York’s LaGuardia and New Jersey’s Newark airports, two of the nation’s busiest hubs, which have since been lifted. A ground stop at John F. Kennedy International Airport lasted from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time, while Chicago’s O’Hare saw another stop due to snowfall, with 61% of flights delayed per FlightAware data. Harry Reid International in Las Vegas reported average departure delays of 60 minutes.
The FAA had projected this holiday stretch as the busiest in 15 years, preparing for over 360,000 flights. Airlines for America forecasted 2.8 million passengers daily from November 21 to December 1. Snowfall across large areas threatened further weekend issues, compounding the strain on an airspace system still recovering from a prior government shutdown that slashed bookings by 4.5% year-over-year.
Ground Stops Hit Busiest Hubs as Weather Adds Pressure:
The strain at O’Hare, where a morning ground stop preceded the evening one under heavy snow, was emphasized by the FAA’s National Airspace System Status. The short waits between LaGuardia and Newark highlighted weaknesses at busy East Coast gateways. Volume overload during peak nighttime hours was evident in JFK’s extended pause. Delays in Las Vegas were caused by ripple effects across the country.
Weather played a major role, with snowfall disrupting Midwest operations and forecasts warning of broader impacts. The shutdown’s fallout lingered, as airlines canceled thousands of flights earlier due to staffing shortages, costing millions daily in lost revenue. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford called this week the agency’s “Super Bowl,” urging travelers to check updates.
Record Passenger Surge Tests Post-Shutdown Airspace Recovery:
Over 52,000 flights were slated for Tuesday, November 25, the peak day. TSA anticipated 17.8 million passengers screening from November 25 to December 2. Military families and service members on leave faced acute risks, with delays threatening reunions. Travelers at LaGuardia reported tense terminals and packed boards despite government reopening.
Airlines increased capacity, but confidence was damaged by the shutdown’s aftereffects, which included fewer flights and key worker constraints. While some travelers from Brooklyn reported being evacuated in the middle of their flight, others wished for smooth returns. Despite record traffic, the FAA commended air traffic controllers for their commitment.
Passenger Impact and Travel Advisory Amid Peak Delays:
FlightAware data captured the scale of disruptions, showing 549 delays and 25 cancellations across U.S. flights on a single day, with Dallas-Fort Worth leading at nine delays and Ronald Reagan National close behind at eight. Atlanta saw one in five inbound flights delayed, while Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the three cancellations. Weather caused 62% of delay minutes, volume 13.5%, and runway issues 8.3%, per FAA breakdowns. Travelers like Elizabeth Kelley scrapped plans due to shutdown fears, opting out of family trips amid mental strain. FAA urged checking apps, arriving two hours early, and flexibility, as military families risked missing reunions.
Outlook for Holiday Travel and FAA Preparations:
Further disruptions loomed over the weekend from weather, but officials expressed readiness. Airports lifted restrictions at 40 major sites post-shutdown, signaling recovery. Economic boosts awaited tourism spots, though crowds meant long lines. Travelers like those at LaGuardia planned headphones and flexibility to cope.
Bedford reassured flyers to travel confidently, citing robust plans. Airlines eyed the surge as a rebound test after shutdown losses. With no full recovery yet, the period highlighted airspace strains under peak demand.
