The Federal Aviation Administration implemented ground delay programs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and San Diego International Airport on September 26, 2026, to manage arrival capacity amid operational constraints. These measures slowed inbound and outbound flights today at both airports without resulting in closures.
Runway Closure and Operational Impact at Seattle-Tacoma International
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport operated with Runway 16C/34C closed through November 15, 2026. This closure, part of ongoing runway and taxiway construction, reduced the airport’s runway availability from three parallel runways to two, limiting operational flexibility during peak traffic periods.
The FAA added Seattle to its national operations plan to account for these constraints, requiring controlled arrival rates
and ground holds for inbound flights. The ground delay program temporarily held some Seattle-bound flights at their origin airports to prevent overwhelming the reduced arrival capacity.
Delay Durations and Operational Status at Seattle and San Diego Airports
During the delay programs, Seattle-Tacoma reported departure gate-hold and taxi delays of up to 15 minutes, with similar airborne delays affecting arriving aircraft. San Diego International Airport experienced longer gate-hold and taxi delays ranging from 15 to 29 minutes at departure.
Arrival delays at San Diego were generally 15 minutes or less. San Diego’s sensitivity to capacity issues stems from its single commercial runway, which causes more acute congestion during periods of high traffic
volume.
Cancellation of Seattle’s Ground Delay and Continued Restrictions in San Diego
As operational conditions improved during the day, the FAA cancelled the ground delay program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and instructed airlines to disregard previously assigned controlled departure times for flights bound for Seattle.
By contrast, San Diego International Airport’s ground delay program remained active with decreasing delays. The FAA reported that gate-hold and taxi delays at San Diego were trending downward but continued to affect outbound departures.
Traveler Impact and Flight Status Recommendations
No closures were imposed at either Seattle-Tacoma or San Diego airports during the FAA ground delay programs on September 26, 2026. However, travelers can expect slowdowns with delays up to 29 minutes
at San Diego and up to 15 minutes at Seattle for taxi and gate-hold times, plus similar arrival delays.
These airport-wide delay figures do not apply uniformly to all flights, as the FAA assigns controlled departure times based on schedules and expected demand. Passengers are responsible for monitoring individual flight statuses directly with their airlines to obtain the latest update.
