FAA Ground Stop: Understanding the November 2026 Air Traffic Communications Issue

On November 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports. This disruption affected thousands of flights, leading to widespread cancellations and delays. The FAA cited an issue with air traffic control communications as the cause. While the ground stop was in effect, aircraft already in the air were allowed to land, but departures were halted. Inbound international flights were managed on a case-by-case basis.

The event caused significant travel chaos, with FlightAware reporting over 1,900 cancellations and more than 10,000 delays by early evening. Airlines like Delta and United responded by offering passengers flexibility to change their flights without additional costs, though the terms varied between carriers. The FAA’s announcement indicated that departures could resume as enroute facilities recovered, with the air traffic control system command center coordinating the process. However, no definitive timeline for full service restoration was provided.

Examining the Role of SMART AI and Microsoft

During the investigation into the cause of the ground stop, questions arose regarding the involvement of the FAA’s SMART AI contractor, AirSpace Intelligence, and Microsoft. AirSpace Intelligence issued a statement denying that its SMART system or its integration with the FAA and air traffic control caused the disruption. The company explicitly stated that the ground stop was not a result of their products or services.

Microsoft also addressed the situation, stating they had no indication that their services were connected to the FAA’s ground stop. This statement came at a time when Microsoft was also dealing with a separate Microsoft 365 outage. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin mentioned that the department, through its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was examining a potential connection to SMART. However, the FAA had not confirmed any link, and officials noted there was no immediate indication of a malicious attack, though it was not being ruled out. The SMART system is designed to recommend flight schedules and routes using data, with FAA specialists reviewing these recommendations. This system is part of a substantial contract between the FAA and its contractor.

Airline Responses to the Ground Stop

As the FAA ground stop continued, airlines began to implement policies to assist affected passengers. Delta Air Lines allowed passengers to change their flights for Friday and Saturday without extra cost. This offered a degree of relief for travelers needing to adjust their plans due to the widespread disruptions.

United Airlines also provided options for passengers, agreeing to waive change fees and fare differences for rebooked trips. However, United’s policy had specific conditions. The new booking had to be on United, in the same cabin, and between the same cities as the original ticket. These differing terms meant that passengers had to carefully consider their options based on their specific travel needs and the policies of their chosen airline. The FAA’s guidance for departures depended on the recovery of enroute facilities, leaving travelers and airlines to navigate the uncertainty.

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