FAA Daily Air Traffic Report: September 9, 2025
The FAA's morning plan points to a mixed travel day. Low clouds are expected to affect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) most of the day, while thunderstorms are forecast across Florida, with ripple effects along key en route corridors. The Air Traffic Control System Command Center lists possible or probable ground stops or Ground Delay Programs for SFO, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) at set windows today. Winds could complicate Las Vegas and Denver operations, and SpaceX launch windows may prompt short-notice airspace closures.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Multiple hubs face ground stop or Ground Delay Program risk.
- Travel impact: Florida storms, low ceilings at SEA and SFO, and route closures could extend delays beyond affected regions.
- What's next: Watch mid to late day windows for SFO, BOS, LGA, JFK, MSP, and possible Airspace Flow Programs.
- SpaceX windows at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg may trigger temporary airspace restrictions.
- En route constraints likely for ZNY, ZJX, ZMA, ZKC, ZMP, ZLC, ZDV, ZSE, and ZOA due to storms.
Snapshot
As of the 9:16 a.m. Eastern advisory, the FAA expects low ceilings to constrain SEA and SFO for most of the day, with Florida thunderstorm complexes building from midday. The plan lists MSP as a possible morning ground stop or GDP, then a probable SFO ground stop or GDP from 1530Z, with BOS, LGA, JFK, and multiple Florida hubs, including Orlando International Airport (MCO), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), moving into possible or probable GDP windows through the afternoon and evening. Route closures and flow initiatives are on deck for Atlantic and Gulf routes. Airspace Flow Programs are possible after 1500Z, pending convective coverage.
Background
The Air Traffic Control System Command Center issues a national Operations Plan each morning to align staffing and traffic management with forecast constraints. Common tools include Ground Delay Programs to meter arrivals into capacity-limited airports, ground stops to reset traffic following rapid deterioration, and Airspace Flow Programs to meter flows through storm-impacted sectors. Today's constraints are primarily weather driven, with ceilings along the West Coast and convection over Florida, plus winds affecting Denver International Airport (DEN) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). For recent patterns and how these initiatives played out, see yesterday's FAA Daily Air Traffic Report: September 8, 2025.
Latest Developments
FAA flags West Coast ceilings and Florida storms, sets midday GDP risk
The Operations Plan calls out SEA and SFO for low ceilings through the day, which reduces arrival rates and raises the risk of a Ground Delay Program at SFO beginning around 1530Z. Florida hubs face rounds of thunderstorms from midday, with potential GDPs or ground stops for MCO, TPA, MIA, and FLL after 1800Z, depending on storm coverage and lightning holds. In the Northeast, BOS, LGA, and JFK have possible or probable GDP windows from late afternoon into evening. If convection materializes along Atlantic and Gulf routes, expect reroutes, capping, and SWAP activity to protect high-value flows.
En route constraints and space operations could add ripple delays
The FAA highlights potential constraints across multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers, including New York, Jacksonville, Miami, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, and Oakland, tied to thunderstorms and special-use airspace activity. After 1500Z, one or more Airspace Flow Programs are possible for Florida corridors. The plan also lists SpaceX windows, with a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral this evening and a Vandenberg mission tomorrow morning, which may prompt temporary route closures or altitude caps near the launch hazard areas. Travelers connecting through affected flows should pad connection times or consider earlier departures.
Analysis
Today's delay picture hinges on two variables, marine-layer ceilings in Northern California and the spatial footprint of Florida convection. If SFO ceilings linger, arrival rates will stay constrained and a Ground Delay Program is likely to hold beyond the initial window. With SEA in low ceilings as well, transcon schedules could see morning holds that cascade into afternoon bank pushes. Florida's pulse storms tend to bloom unevenly; localized ground stops and ramp closures are common when lightning sits over terminals, so flights may depart late even if airborne flows remain open. Layer in potential Atlantic and Gulf route closures and you get rolling delays that propagate into BOS, LGA, and JFK during the peak return push. Proactive tactics help, including rebooking to earlier flights, choosing longer connections, and monitoring airline alerts for dynamic reroutes. If SpaceX operations proceed, short-lived airspace restrictions could prompt minor offloads or time shifts on select flows.
Final Thoughts
Expect a staggered delay day. Early West Coast ceilings set the stage, Florida storms build from midday, and Northeast hubs face late-day metering if upstream flows compress. Watch the SFO, BOS, LGA, JFK, and MSP windows, and keep an eye on route advisories if you are transiting Atlantic or Gulf corridors. With Airspace Flow Programs possible after 1500Z, flexible itineraries and longer connections remain the best buffer. We will continue tracking the FAA's national plan and update with any material changes to the FAA Daily Air Traffic Report.