Thousands of passengers encountered lengthy delays, flight cancellations, and rebooking challenges after a nationwide ground stop disrupted travel at Kennedy Airport and other major airports on Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration instituted the halt as a precaution following a telecommunications problem, leaving travelers stranded and airlines scrambling to reroute flights.
Riley Alexis Holmes, 24, was one of those affected. “I called my mom and cried,” she said, explaining she now awaits updates with no clear way to reach Oregon in time. Airlines have offered passengers like Holmes the choice to reschedule within 24 hours or receive a full refund, though rebooking does not include a refund.
Juliana Melo, 30, from São Paulo, faced a similar situation. She and her husband had spent a week in New York visiting family and were set to return to Brazil to reunite with their 1-year-old daughter. By Friday afternoon, they had not received any contact from their airline regarding rescheduling. “She’s waiting for us in Brazil with my mother and the babysitter,” Melo said. “We’re very nervous.” Gates at Terminal 4 were crowded with passengers sitting on the floor, checking phones for updates, and discussing options with little clarity.
The disruptions also affected international travelers like Lennard Meijer, 49, who had flown from Amsterdam for a business trip. His original return flight was delayed, then canceled, and finally rebooked—only to be canceled again. After waiting 90 minutes in line to retrieve his checked baggage, he boarded a Delta flight later Friday.
Kieran Cullen, 27, had already spent over 24 hours traveling after his overseas deployment ended. He was due to connect at JFK for a flight to Jacksonville, Florida, but his layover stretched into hours of delays and eventual cancellation. “We were only expecting to be here for about five hours,” he said. By Friday evening, his group had decided to stay overnight in New Jersey, hoping to depart on Sunday instead.
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