American Airlines Inspects Two Dozen Jets After Hail
Engineers examined aircraft at Philadelphia International Airport after a severe hailstorm struck the area on Thursday.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Severe Weather
A severe hailstorm covered parts of Philadelphia and its airport in hail, prompting American Airlines to hold two dozen aircraft for engineering inspections before they were cleared to fly. An American Airlines-only ground stop was implemented at Philadelphia as a result.
Why it matters
The inspections and ground stop were put in place to protect aircraft and passengers, since hail can crack cockpit window layers, impair pilot visibility, and damage the radome and engines. The disruption came alongside wider weather problems across the Northeast that affected flights nationwide.
Two dozen American Airlines aircraft were held for inspection after the hailstorm, with 820 flights delayed and 65 canceled nationwide as weather affected 11 airports. Whether any aircraft sustained hail damage and when the ground stop will fully lift has not been confirmed.
The players
American Airlines
A major U.S. airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, operating one of the largest passenger networks in the world.
The details
Hail covered parts of the city and airport on Thursday, and the aircraft were parked at the gate while exposed to the storm. Engineers inspected the planes before they were cleared, and a passenger on flight AA2412 from Tampa was stranded on the aircraft for up to three hours.
Timeline
Thursday: severe hailstorm struck the Philadelphia area and forced aircraft inspections.
Seasonal Patterns
Post-storm aircraft inspections follow the airworthiness standards enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration, which require engineers to clear aircraft exposed to weather before they return to service. The Philadelphia event fits a recurring pattern of spring and late-autumn convective storms that disrupt airport operations in the Northeast.
Travelers booked on American Airlines flights through Philadelphia should check their flight status before heading to the airport, since delays and cancellations may continue as aircraft clear inspection. Passengers stranded on delayed aircraft can contact the airline directly for rebooking and updates.
The takeaway
Severe weather can ground aircraft even after the skies clear, because inspections must confirm each plane is safe before it flies again. Travelers facing delays should monitor airline apps and plan for extra time at Philadelphia International Airport during storm season.
Further reading
For more on how storms are tracked across the region, see Philadelphia Severe Weather.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Simple Flying.
