The Federal Aviation Administration warned on September 26, 2026, that ground stops and ground delay programs could affect multiple major Northeast U.S. airports including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Reagan National Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. These measures were expected to last through approximately 7 p.m. Eastern Time, with Washington Dulles potentially initiating a ground stop after 2:30 p.m. ET, according to the FAA’s operations plan issued at 1:25 p.m. ET.
Weather and Air Traffic Conditions Constrain Northeast Airports
Weather conditions including rain and wind in Boston and wind constraints affecting air traffic systems
in New York and Philadelphia have reduced airport capacity in those regions. The FAA defines a ground stop as a traffic-management action that holds eligible flights on the ground at their departure airports rather than allowing takeoff. Ground delay programs assign arrival slots and hold aircraft at departure points to manage landing demand at destination airports. Traffic-management programs such as these can be implemented rapidly with little advance notice as weather and traffic conditions evolve.
Airlines Issue Travel Waivers for Northeast Passengers
Delta Airlines has issued a Northeast weather waiver for flights through JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Providence, Portland, and Westchester County airports for September 26 and
27. Passengers eligible under this waiver can rebook travel through September 30. A separate Boston-specific waiver from Delta applies for travel between September 26 and 29 with rebooking allowed through October 2. American Airlines issued a severe-weather alert waiver for travel September 25 through 27 covering Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles, and Reagan National airports. JetBlue’s weather waiver covers travel through September 27 at Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and other Northeast airports, allowing rebooking through September 30.
Passenger Guidance and Federal Refund Rights
Passengers flying through affected airports on September 26 and 27 were advised to monitor their airline apps and FAA operations plans
closely, as flights initially listed as “on time” could be delayed quickly due to traffic-management actions. Airlines’ weather waivers permit voluntary ticket changes without fees within specific conditions and travel windows. However, Department of Transportation regulations require airlines to provide refunds only when flights are canceled or delayed by three or more hours; voluntary changes under weather waivers do not guarantee refund rights. Travelers were recommended to confirm ticket eligibility for waivers before making changes and to check aircraft status where available to anticipate potential delays.
FAA Operational Plans and Traffic Management Updates
The FAA planned to evaluate JFK Airport after 6 p.m. ET on September 26
for the possibility of additional traffic-management initiatives due to high passenger volume. The 1:25 p.m. ET FAA operations plan noted that no terminal traffic-management programs were active at that moment but emphasized that ground stops and delays could be implemented rapidly throughout the remainder of the day. Passengers traveling through the Northeast should expect shifting conditions and remain attentive to official FAA updates and airline notifications.
