US ground stop strands travelers in longest nationwide halt since 9/11
What’s new: Passengers can seek refunds for canceled or majorly delayed flights, but airlines generally do not owe compensation for air traffic control failures.
A nationwide ground stop in the United States left airports crowded with stranded travelers Friday in the country’s longest coast-to-coast flight halt since the Sept. 11 attacks. The disruption upended travel plans across the country, with families and other passengers waiting for delayed departures at airports including San Francisco International Airport. Coverage from The New York Times described terminals filling up as flights were frozen nationwide. The BBC reported that under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, travelers on canceled or significantly delayed flights must be offered rebooking or a full refund if they choose not to travel. Airlines generally are not required to pay compensation when the cause is an air traffic control problem.