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🔴 Forecast for the Week of September 21st, 2026 🔴Â
This forecast is updated weekly using long-range data from the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center, AccuWeather, and checkpoint volume trends. For complete accuracy regarding specific delays, cancellations, or gate changes, always verify your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport.
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| Airport | Estimated TSA Wait Times & Volume | Forecasted FAA Status & Flight Impact (Week-Long Outlook) | Traveler Recommendation & Arrival Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (GA) | HIGH: 55-75 min. Dense fall travel volumes. | HIGH: A humid frontal boundary across the Southeast will spark afternoon rain and thunder cells, triggering daily mid-day ground holds and air traffic reroutes through Thursday. | Arrive 3 hours early. Fly early in the morning to avoid daily afternoon storm spacing delays. |
| DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth (TX) | HIGH: 50-70 min. Heavy connecting passenger banks. | MODERATE: Warm early-autumn temperatures will require minor aircraft weight and performance checks during peak afternoon departure windows. | Arrive 3 hours early. Allow extra time for gate transitions, as airside operations remain congested. |
| ORD – Chicago O'Hare (IL) | HIGH: 50-70 min. High terminal passenger volume. | MODERATE: Scattered mid-week rain showers moving across the Great Lakes will cause brief approach pacing holds, but overall Midwest flight routes remain functional. | Arrive 3 hours early. Terminal foot traffic remains dense; confirm inbound connection times on your airline app. |
| DEN – Denver (CO) | MODERATE: 45-60 min. Checkpoints consistently heavy. | HIGH: High Plains wind shear and localized rain cells will cause afternoon ground holds between 3 PM and 7 PM. | Arrive 3 hours early. Monitor flight status boards for sudden wind- and storm-driven schedule pauses. |
| LAX – Los Angeles (CA) | HIGH: 45-65 min. Steady international departure banks. | LOW: Favorable coastal flying weather all week; airfield operations will run cleanly on schedule. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Flight tracking is clean, but central terminal horseshoe road traffic remains heavily jammed. |
| JFK – John F. Kennedy (NY) | HIGH: 55-75 min. High global departure volume. | MODERATE: Managing residual schedule recovery following Sunday's local radar equipment slowdown. Early-week weather is clear, but late-week rain may trigger minor pacing delays. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Verify gate status on mobile apps as flight schedules normalize. |
| MCO – Orlando (FL) | HIGH: 55-75 min. Dense vacationer foot traffic. | HIGH: Subtropical moisture will force daily afternoon holding patterns and route detours for arrivals. | Arrive 3.5 hours early. Expect packed check-in lines and rolling afternoon weather holds every day. |
| MIA – Miami (FL) | HIGH: 50-65 min. Heavy tourist volume. | HIGH: Subtropical storm cells off the Atlantic coast will require planes to take wide route detours, stretching daily flight schedules. | Arrive 3 hours early. Regional storm tracking will slow air traffic pacing throughout the week. |
| LAS – Harry Reid (NV) | MODERATE: 45-60 min. Continuous terminal queues. | MODERATE: Warm desert weather continues; controllers will space out afternoon departures to manage aircraft performance during peak heat hours. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Afternoon flights face brief tarmac taxi holds due to heat safety rules. |
| SFO – San Francisco (CA) | HIGH: 45-60 min. Heavy airport volume. | HIGH: Persistent morning fog will require strict visual landing separation holds every morning through mid-day. | Arrive 3 hours early. Morning arrivals will face structured delays all week; plan connection buffers. |
| CLT – Charlotte Douglas (NC) | HIGH: 50-70 min. High concourse congestion. | HIGH: Moisture-laden weather crossing the Carolinas will narrow open flight paths early in the week, backing up connecting banks. | Arrive 3 hours early. Connecting foot traffic is heavy; build ample buffer time for gate switches. |
| SEA – Seattle-Tacoma (WA) | MODERATE: 40-55 min. Checkpoints busy. | MODERATE: Pacific Northwest rain fronts will cause brief arrival spacing holds, but operations remain stable overall. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Mid-week rain and low ceilings will trigger minor landing holds. |
| PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor (AZ) | MODERATE: 35-50 min. Running smoothly. | MODERATE: Early-fall desert heat requires controllers to implement specialized flight spacing routes during peak afternoon windows. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Travel before noon if possible to avoid daily heat-related tarmac holds. |
| EWR – Newark Liberty (NJ) | HIGH: 50-65 min. Dense passenger queues. | MODERATE: Recovering from Sunday's radar equipment slowdown. Operations have normalized, but heavy volume can cause minor taxi holds. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Check flight status on your airline app before arriving. |
| IAH – George Bush Intercontinental (TX) | HIGH: 45-60 min. Sizable passenger footprint. | MODERATE: Gulf moisture fronts will spark pop-up rain showers throughout the week, causing brief daily flight path detours. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Check airport gate updates and mobile flight alerts daily. |
| BOS – Boston Logan (MA) | HIGH: 45-60 min. Heavy terminal queues. | SEVERE: Active 75-day main runway closure (Runway 09-27) entering Day 22. Reduced runway capacity will cause significant arrival metering all week. | Arrive 3.5 hours early. Runway construction severely limits airport capacity; expect cascading delays during peak banks. |
| MSP – Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MN) | MODERATE: 35-50 min. Regular terminal pace. | LOW: Crisp, fair weather ensures smooth airfield operations all week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Airside operations are running cleanly. |
| DTW – Detroit Metropolitan (MI) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Steady lines. | LOW: Clear conditions across the Great Lakes region; minimal flow control restrictions active this week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Smooth transit expected through screening points. |
| LGA – LaGuardia (NY) | HIGH: 45-60 min. Heavy regional business volume. | MODERATE: Equipment slowdown from Sunday has resolved. Mild early-fall weather supports stable short-haul operations. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Check flight status before heading to the airport. |
| FLL – Fort Lauderdale (FL) | HIGH: 50-65 min. Vacation crowds active. | HIGH: Subtropical storm cells near the coast will force controllers to hold departures on the ground almost every afternoon. | Arrive 3 hours early. Local lightning activity can trigger sudden taxi-out holds. |
| PHL – Philadelphia (PA) | MODERATE: 40-50 min. Heavy terminal queues. | LOW: Clear, pleasant air mass; air traffic routes out of Philadelphia have fully normalized. | Arrive 2 hours early. Clean-slate flying weather expected. |
| IAD – Washington Dulles (DC) | MODERATE: 40-55 min. Global passenger flow heavy. | MODERATE: The FAA begins operational deployment of its new SMART air traffic planning software in the D.C. corridor on Monday, Sept 21. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Predictable transit across all departure banks. |
| SLC – Salt Lake City (UT) | MODERATE: 35-50 min. Moving fluidly. | LOW: Clear mountain approaches all week; schedules will run precisely on time. | Arrive 2 hours early. Low-risk hub operations expected for the entire week. |
| BNA – Nashville (TN) | HIGH: 45-65 min. Heavy tourist screening spikes. | LOW: Pleasant early-fall weather across Tennessee; smooth regional flight tracks. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Checkpoint queues remain deep due to peak leisure demand. |
| SAN – San Diego (CA) | MODERATE: 35-50 min. Standard screening lanes. | MODERATE: Coastal morning fog is expected to cause brief landing holds before clearing by mid-morning each day. | Arrive 2 hours early. Reliable operations overall, but morning flights may face slight delays. |
| BWI – Baltimore/Washington (MD) | MODERATE: 40-50 min. Regular pace. | MODERATE: Benefits from the initial D.C.-area launch of the FAA's new SMART flight management tool starting Monday. | Arrive 2 hours early. Smooth operational performance expected. |
| DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington (DC) | HIGH: 45-60 min. Sizable terminal queues. | MODERATE: FAA deploys its new AI-driven SMART traffic management software in D.C. airspace starting Monday, September 21. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Sizable passenger footprint requires standard terminal padding. |
| TPA – Tampa (FL) | MODERATE: 40-50 min. Regular checkpoint pace. | HIGH: Daily coastal lightning cells will force flight path deviations over the Gulf every afternoon, delaying inbound planes. | Arrive 3 hours early. Weather tracking will prompt minor rolling airfield holds consistently. |
| HNL – Daniel K. Inouye (HI) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Standard tourist flow. | LOW: Normal trade wind weather all week; transpacific flight tracks running cleanly without intervention. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Highly predictable operations projected. |
| AUS – Austin-Bergstrom (TX) | MODERATE: 40-55 min. Sizable early peaks. | LOW: Local weather is clear and hot; normal airfield operations running smoothly throughout the week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Stable regional layout. |
| MDW – Chicago Midway (IL) | MODERATE: 40-55 min. Lines moving steadily. | LOW: Favorable northern Illinois conditions; flight routes running well on time. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Expect normal operational tracking and terminal speeds. |
| PDX – Portland (OR) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Lanes clearing fast. | MODERATE: Cool rain fronts passing through mid-week will require standard visual approach separation holds. | Arrive 2 hours early. Minor arrival spacing holds possible on rainy days. |
| DAL – Dallas Love Field (TX) | MODERATE: 40-50 min. Normal screening speeds. | LOW: Clean local flight tracks matching a stable, warm regional forecast all week. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Fully optimized operations projected. |
| RDU – Raleigh-Durham (NC) | MODERATE: 35-50 min. Regular terminal pace. | LOW: Mid-Atlantic weather patterns clear behind the front; low cancellation risk expected all week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Clear checkpoint flow anticipated. |
| STL – St. Louis Lambert (MO) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Steady sorting. | LOW: Clear of major convective constraints; airfield tracks performing steadily. | Arrive 2 hours early. High operational predictability this week. |
| HOU – William P. Hobby (TX) | MODERATE: 35-50 min. Normal checkpoint speed. | LOW: Normal airfield configurations active with zero flow controls expected for the week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Highly stable tracking. |
| SMF – Sacramento (CA) | MODERATE: 30-40 min. Standard lines. | LOW: Clear conditions across the Central Valley; flight tracks running cleanly on schedule all week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Smooth operational performance expected. |
| SJU – San Juan (PR) | MODERATE: 40-50 min. Seasonal passenger volume. | LOW: Pleasant tropical weather patterns; standard hub throughput expected all week. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Highly stable week projected. |
| MSY – New Orleans (LA) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Steady lane motion. | MODERATE: General Gulf moisture brings a daily afternoon thunderstorm threat, requiring air traffic control to monitor inbound pacing. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Minor daily en-route delays possible; check status boards. |
| MCI – Kansas City (MO) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Normal terminal speed. | LOW: Fair weather dominating the region all week; zero active airfield bottlenecks. | Arrive 2 hours early. Highly stable operational performance expected. |
| SNA – John Wayne (CA) | MODERATE: 30-40 min. Standard queues. | LOW: Ideal Southern California flying weather; tracking smoothly throughout the week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Fully optimal flow across all sectors. |
| RSW – Fort Myers (FL) | MODERATE: 40-50 min. Steady seasonal traffic. | HIGH: South Florida storm corridors are highly active this week. Expect daily restrictions on paths entering and exiting the region. | Arrive 3 hours early. Coastal storm paths require extra arrival flexibility. |
| SAT – San Antonio (TX) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Standard processing lanes. | LOW: Warm skies; normal airfield flow operations running precisely all week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Stable regional layout. |
| SJC – San Jose (CA) | MODERATE: 30-40 min. Moving efficiently. | LOW: Clear conditions across the South Bay; running cleanly on time. | Arrive 2 hours early. No major flight tracking disruptions noted for the week. |
| IND – Indianapolis (IN) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Regular pace. | LOW: Favorable post-frontal conditions; zero active airfield bottlenecks this week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Local network is structurally stable. |
| CLE – Cleveland (OH) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Steady screening rates. | LOW: Airfield operating normally; zero flow control restrictions expected all week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Smooth transit expected through local checkpoints. |
| PIT – Pittsburgh (PA) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Moving normally. | LOW: Fair weather dominating; ideal regional baseline throughout the week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Highly stable week expected. |
| CMH – Columbus (OH) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Continuous regular speed. | LOW: No restrictions forecast; stable hub layout all week. | Arrive 2 hours early. Minimal flight risk forecast. |
| CVG – Cincinnati (OH/KY) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Standard lane metrics. | LOW: Airside operations running predictably on schedule. | Arrive 2 hours early. Expect normal gate access speeds all week. |
| PBI – Palm Beach (FL) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Steady lane speeds. | HIGH: South Florida atmospheric moisture requires frequent spacing modifications daily between 2 PM and 6 PM. | Arrive 2.5 hours early. Minor flight path alterations are stretching flight times. |
| JAX – Jacksonville (FL) | MODERATE: 35-45 min. Regular terminal flow. | HIGH: Traffic bypassing central Florida storms adds heavy volume to the northern Florida sector all week. | Arrive 3 hours early. Delays are structural; monitor your outbound timeline closely. |
| ONT – Ontario (CA) | MODERATE: 30-40 min. Screening moving fast. | LOW: Normal Inland Empire weather patterns; zero airfield holds active. | Arrive 2 hours early. Operations running smoothly and precisely on time. |
Weekly Travel Advisory Notes:
🔴 Forecast for the Week of September 21st, 2026Â
FAA Rollout of AI "SMART" Software in D.C. Airspace (Starts Sept. 21): The Federal Aviation Administration is initiating the live operational deployment of its new AI-powered flight trajectory tool, SMART, in the Washington D.C. air traffic corridor starting Monday, September 21. While designed to reduce weather reroute delays long-term, air traffic controllers at Potomac TRACON and Washington Center (ZDC) are operating under initial 90-day testing parameters that may cause minor en-route pacing adjustments for Dulles (IAD), Reagan (DCA), and Baltimore (BWI).
Day 22 of Boston Logan (BOS) Main Runway Construction: Boston Logan International Airport remains under a severe runway capacity pinch as the 75-day full repaving closure of Runway 09-27 continues. The FAA maintains active Ground Delay Programs for BOS that generate average arrival holds of 45–60+ minutes during peak bank hours, regardless of local clear weather.
New York Airspace Recovery After Radar Equipment Outage: Operations into Newark Liberty (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) have fully normalized following a Sunday radar equipment issue at New York TRACON that briefly slowed arrivals by 30-45 minutes. Clear, autumn-like high pressure over the Northeast provides highly stable flying conditions through mid-week.
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