FAA ground stop: What are your rights if you’re stuck on the tarmac?
FAA launches AI tool for air traffic congestion
Airports in the Washington, DC area will see changes as the FAA launches a cloud‑based artificial intelligence platform designed to help get planes to their destinations on time. FOX 5 DC's Stephanie Ramirez joined LiveNOW's Josh Breslow to explain.
A nationwide Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop has left travelers waiting aboard planes, unsure how long they will be stuck before taking off or returning to the gate.
If your flight is delayed on the tarmac, here is what to know about your rights, including access to food, water and an opportunity to get off the plane.
What is a ‘tarmac delay’?
Big picture view:
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), a tarmac delay occurs when an airplane on the ground is either awaiting takeoff or has just landed and passengers do not have the opportunity to get off the plane.
DOT’s tarmac delay rule applies only to tarmac delays that occur at U.S. airports. Although passengers who experience an extended tarmac delay at a foreign airport while flying to the United States may be protected from extended tarmac delays by the laws of another nation, they are not protected from extended tarmac delays by U.S. law.
How long can airline keep passenger on plane without departing?
For flights departing from a U.S. airport, airlines are required to begin to move the airplane to a location where passengers can safely get off before 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights, according to DOT.
Planes wait on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, New York on November 13, 2026. (Credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, for flights landing at U.S. airports, airlines are also required to provide passengers with an opportunity to safely get off of the airplane before 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights.
However, DOT explains that exceptions to the time limits are allowed, but only for safety, security, or air traffic control-related reasons.
Rights for passengers
During a tarmac delay, airlines must provide passengers with a snack, such as a granola bar, and drinking water no later than two hours after the start of the tarmac delay, DOT explains.
RELATED: Live updates: FAA issues nationwide ground stop due to 'extraordinary circumstances'
However, airlines do not have to serve passengers full meals during a tarmac delay, even if the tarmac delay lasts for a lengthy period of time. However, airlines must have or must obtain enough food and drinking water to provide a serving to all passengers onboard the aircraft during the delay.
During a tarmac delay, airlines are also required to provide working toilets, comfortable cabin temperatures, and adequate medical attention, if needed.
FAA issues ground stop
On Friday, a nationwide ground stop was issued by the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Friday, according to the FAA.
The most recent advisory posted to the FAA website read: "DCC has implemented extended flight plan drop times to 240 minutes for all enroute centers due to nationwide comms failure."
The Source: The information for this story was provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Los Angeles.