FAA Daily Air Traffic Report, August 25, 2025
Low clouds over San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and ongoing taxiway work set up a probable ground delay program by late morning. Thunderstorms are the main driver in Central and South Florida, with holds possible at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has a staffing trigger through midday, with early VIP movement into Joint Base Andrews (ADW) affecting Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Cross-border routes may be shaped by reduced NAV CANADA capacity.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Delays cluster at SFO and Florida hubs, with ripple effects on connections.
- Travel impact: GDP or ground stops possible at SFO from 1030 a.m., Florida hubs from 1000 a.m. CT.
- What's next: Gulf and oceanic route closures persist into evening, Starship launch window 630 to 834 p.m. CT.
- Northeast improves as ceilings lift, BOS and DEN still carry thunderstorm risk.
- Watch for VIP timing around D.C., plus Airspace Flow Program potential over Florida from 8:00 a.m. CT.
Snapshot
The FAA's morning plan calls for a generally improving Northeast, while low ceilings and construction at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) make a late-morning delay program likely. Florida airports face convective slowdowns and possible ground stops beginning mid-morning Central time. Denver International Airport (DEN), DCA, and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) carry later triggers, with additional routing tools expected over Dallas and Phoenix this afternoon. En-route managers anticipate Florida Airspace Flow Programs after 8:00 a.m. CT, Lake Erie West play until early afternoon, and Sierra routes after mid-afternoon. If you connect via Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), see Newark AirTrain cuts Aug 24 to 25, shutdown Aug 26 to 27.
Background
The Air Traffic Control System Command Center publishes an Operations Plan that outlines airport programs, staffing constraints, en-route plays, and special-use airspace activity. Ground delay programs, commonly called GDPs, meter arrivals to match an airport's acceptance rate when weather or construction reduces capacity. Ground stops hold departures bound for an affected airport until conditions improve. Airspace Flow Programs manage demand across larger regions, often during widespread thunderstorms. Today's plan highlights low ceilings at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Florida convection, and selective route structures to balance volume. It also flags VIP movements around Washington, D.C., plus a SpaceX Starship window that can drive Gulf closures. Travelers should plan extra time for security and connections, monitor airline alerts, and build slack into itineraries when storms or GDPs are likely.
Latest Developments
SFO low ceilings point to a late-morning GDP
Low clouds and taxiway work push San Francisco International Airport (SFO) toward a ground delay program as early as 10:30 a.m. CT. Southern California TRACON notes low ceilings, which can slow early push periods into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Denver International Airport (DEN) retain thunderstorm and visibility risks. The plan's terminal board shows no active programs at press time, but the probability increases by the late morning window for SFO, then rises for other metros through the afternoon. If you are flying to the Bay Area, consider earlier departures, nonstop options, and longer legal connections. Expect compression on SFO departure banks following any GDP release, with minor knock-ons at outstations that feed the afternoon hub banks.
Florida hubs face midday convection and routing tools
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) carry possible ground stops or GDPs after 1000 a.m. CT. Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) show similar triggers starting at 1000 a.m. CT, with SWAP or escape routes planned for the same window. An Airspace Flow Program over Florida is possible after 8:00 a.m. CT. Expect miles-in-trail, minor reroutes, and departure holds on peak bank pushes when storms bloom. Build extra time for connections into Florida this afternoon, especially for tight turnarounds, last flights, and cruise-related itineraries. If your route touches Gulf or oceanic airways, plan for speed-control or minor reroutes through the evening.
Denver, D.C., Las Vegas, and Phoenix carry later triggers
Denver International Airport (DEN) lists a possible ground stop after 800 a.m. CT, then another trigger after 300 p.m. CT as storms redevelop. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) shows a possible program after 200 p.m. CT, with early VIP movement departing Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) after 700 a.m. CT and arriving Joint Base Andrews (ADW) after 800 a.m. CT. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) adds a 200 p.m. CT window, with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) carrying en-route tools after 4:00 p.m. CT. If you must protect a last-flight connection at these hubs, consider moving earlier, holding backup inventory, or targeting longer minimum connection times.
En-route plays, Gulf closures, and tonight's launch window
Thunderstorms affect ZBW, ZNY, ZJX, ZMA, ZFW, ZHU, ZDV, ZAB, ZOA, and ZLA today. Lake Erie West partial play is possible until 100 p.m. CT. Sierra routes may activate after 300 p.m. CT to manage West Coast flows. Dallas and Phoenix flows may use CDRs, SWAP, or arrival routes late day, with LAS and DEN joining that list by mid-afternoon. Gulf and oceanic route closures are probable until 600 p.m. CT. SpaceX Starship Flight-10 has a primary window from 630 p.m. to 834 p.m. CT, which can prompt additional Gulf-sector holds and reroutes. Blue Origin NS-35 carries a Tuesday, August 26 window from 630 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT. Check NOTAMs if your flight transits affected sectors.
Analysis
Today's pattern concentrates risk into a handful of predictable pressure points. SFO's low ceilings reduce acceptance rates, so an on-time push depends on how quickly the marine layer lifts and how taxiway work interacts with runway configs. Florida storms are classic convective drivers, forcing miles-in-trail and GDPs that sag connection reliability from late morning through the dinner banks. Add the D.C. VIP and a late-day Las Vegas pulse, and you get widespread but manageable delays rather than a national meltdown. The most exposed travelers are those making short legal connects into Florida or SFO, plus anyone on last flights of the day. Move earlier where possible, give yourself 90 minutes minimum for domestic connects, and carry airline app alerts on. If your routing crosses the Gulf this evening, expect minor time-adds around the Starship window. Crews and dispatch will watch the AFP switch for Florida, which often stabilizes flow once set. Overall, plan buffers, stay flexible, and protect the return leg if storms linger.
Final Thoughts
Expect a clean morning in much of the Northeast, with the action shifting to Florida and the West by late morning. SFO is the top watch item, followed by Florida hubs, then D.C., Denver, and Las Vegas into late afternoon. If you must keep a tight connection, push earlier or buy backup options you can refund. For Gulf routes, build extra time around the Starship window. We will update if programs firm up, but for now, the smart play is time, flexibility, and vigilance guided by the FAA air traffic report.