San Francisco Airport Resumes Hawaii, Asia Flights
Pacific-bound departures are cleared after a nationwide FAA flight suspension tied to equipment issues at air traffic control centers.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Air Travel
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San Francisco International Airport confirmed that Pacific-bound flights, including destinations in Hawaii and Asia, are cleared to depart. The move followed a nationwide suspension by the US Federal Aviation Administration caused by equipment issues at all 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
Why it matters
The FAA suspension reached every one of its Air Route Traffic Control Centers, halting air traffic across the country and disrupting travelers nationwide. The FAA has launched an investigation into the malfunctions, and its cause and full scope remain under review.
The nationwide suspension covered all 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers, and it is the first such suspension since January 2023, when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned. The specific equipment failure behind the current suspension has not been identified in the available information.
The players
San Francisco International Airport
The major commercial airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area, which communicates operational updates to travelers through its official X account.
Federal Aviation Administration
The US federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation, including the nation's network of Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
The details
San Francisco International Airport confirmed the resumption of Pacific-bound flights in a post on its X page. The FAA suspended flights nationwide in response to equipment issues at its Air Route Traffic Control Centers, and the agency has launched an investigation into the malfunctions.
Timeline
September 11, 2001: A nationwide flight suspension followed the terrorist attacks, a prior precedent for halting air traffic nationwide.
January 2023: A key FAA computer system malfunctioned, causing a previous nationwide flight suspension.
November 14, 2026: San Francisco International Airport resumed Pacific-bound flights to Hawaii and Asia.
Seasonal Patterns
This nationwide suspension is the second of its kind since January 2023, following the earlier FAA computer system malfunction that halted flights across the country. It also echoes the flight suspension that followed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, though the current cause is equipment failure rather than an attack.
Travelers booked on Pacific-bound flights from San Francisco can now depart as scheduled, but nationwide air traffic delays may still affect connections across the country. Checking airline status pages before heading to the airport is the most practical step while the FAA investigation continues.
The takeaway
Nationwide flight suspensions are rare but have now occurred more than once in recent years, so travelers may benefit from building flexibility into itineraries. Monitoring airline notifications closely during any FAA disruption can help travelers respond quickly to schedule changes.
Further reading
For more on how national aviation disruptions affect travelers, browse our Air Travel coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TASS.
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