"Weather" is the most common explanation for a delay, and often the true one. It also matters a great deal, because airlines rarely provide meals or hotels for weather delays. Here is how to check the explanation in a few minutes from your phone.
Why it matters
If a delay is caused by weather, it is outside the airline's control, and most of its commitments for meals, hotels and rebooking on other airlines do not apply. If the real cause is maintenance or crew, they usually do. Your right to a refund for a significant delay applies either way. See controllable vs. uncontrollable delays.
Step 1: ask where the weather is
Weather can delay you from four places: your departure airport, your arrival airport, the route between them, or wherever your aircraft or crew is coming from. Ask the gate agent which one. "Weather in Chicago" is something you can check. "Weather" on its own is not.
Step 2: check the FAA's airport status
The FAA publishes live restrictions for US airports at nasstatus.faa.gov. Look up your departure and arrival airports. A ground stop or ground delay program usually comes with a short reason, such as thunderstorms, low ceilings (low cloud), wind or volume.
- A weather-related program is in place: the explanation very likely holds.
- The program is for "volume" or staffing: the delay is caused by air traffic control. It is still outside the airline's control, but it is not weather.
- No restrictions at either airport: keep going.
Step 3: look at the actual weather
A weather app or the FAA status page is enough for most people. Thunderstorms, snow, ice, fog and strong winds are the conditions that slow airports down. Clear skies at both ends, with no storms in between, make a weather explanation less likely, unless the weather is somewhere else entirely.
Step 4: check where your aircraft is coming from
Your airline's app usually shows the inbound flight. If that aircraft is stuck at an airport with a real weather problem, the weather explanation holds even if it is sunny where you are. If the inbound flight is on time, or already at your gate, ask what else is causing the delay.
Step 5: compare with other flights
Look at the departure board. If flights on several airlines to the same region are delayed, the cause is probably the weather or air traffic control. If yours is one of the few delayed flights, the cause is more likely specific to your aircraft or crew.
Putting it together
| What you see | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Weather-related FAA program at your departure or arrival airport | Weather |
| Inbound aircraft held at a storm-hit airport | Weather, elsewhere |
| FAA program for volume or staffing | Air traffic control |
| No restrictions, other airlines on time, inbound aircraft on time | Probably the airline: ask about maintenance or crew |
None of this is proof. Airlines know things you cannot see, and weather far away can strand crews legitimately. It does tell you whether it is reasonable to ask for more.
Airports where weather is a regular cause
Some airports have a predictable weather pattern: summer afternoon storms at Orlando, Atlanta and Dallas Fort Worth; low cloud at San Francisco; winter snow at Chicago O'Hare and Boston. Every airport page lists its usual causes.
If the explanation does not add up
- Screenshot the airline's stated reason and the FAA status, with the time visible.
- Ask politely what else is contributing, and ask for what your airline commits to for controllable delays. See what to say to the gate agent.
- If you are refused, follow up in writing after the trip. See how to claim.
If the weather is real, your own trip delay cover may pay for meals and a hotel instead.
This guide is general information for US travelers, not legal advice. Rules and airline commitments change; check with your airline or the US Department of Transportation for your specific situation.