FAA Grounds All Planes Nationwide, Stranding Passengers
The third nationwide ground stop since 2000 came as Amtrak's booking website also displayed an error on Friday evening.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Air Travel
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The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop of all planes on Friday evening, leaving passengers at airports across the country stranded for hours. The same evening, Amtrak's booking website displayed the message "We've experienced an unknown error. Please try again later," preventing trip bookings.
Why it matters
The ground stop was the third nationwide grounding of its kind since 2000, underscoring how rarely the FAA halts all air traffic across the country. For travelers in the United States, the simultaneous disruption to air travel and rail booking left few immediate alternatives for planning trips.
The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop of all planes, the third such action since 2000, and it was lifted at around 8:30 p.m. Friday. The reason for the grounding and the full extent of stranded passengers were not detailed in the available information.
The players
Federal Aviation Administration
The federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation in the United States, including air traffic control and nationwide flight operations.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, the United States' national passenger rail service, which operates long-distance and regional trains across the country.
The details
The FAA ordered all planes grounded nationwide on Friday evening, leaving passengers at all airports stranded for hours. Separately, the Amtrak booking website showed an error at the top of the page, and Amtrak did not provide an alternative booking method, though its train service was operating normally.
Timeline
Friday evening: FAA orders nationwide ground stop and Amtrak booking error appears.
Around 8:30 p.m. Friday: Ground stop is lifted.
Since 2000: Third nationwide FAA ground stop of this kind.
Travel Outlook
The FAA has issued only three nationwide ground stops since 2000, making Friday's action a rare event in the history of U.S. air traffic control. Its timing alongside a rail booking outage highlights how quickly disruptions can narrow travel options for Americans.
Travelers with Friday flights should check with their airline for rebooking options, since a ground stop can cause cascading delays. Those planning rail trips should try booking again later, as Amtrak's site showed an error and no alternative booking channel was provided.
The takeaway
Sudden nationwide disruptions can strain both air and rail travel at once, so flexible plans and backup booking options can reduce the impact on your trip.
Further reading
For more on how federal aviation rules shape travel disruptions, see Air Travel coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJLA.
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If flights were grounded, would you book a train trip instead?
