How the FAA Gets Your Plane There Safely

Our job is to get you to your destination safely and efficiently. This summer will see more planes in the skies, frequent bad weather, and increased use of the nation’s airspace. We are continuously working to address these challenges.

Prepare to take flight this summer

The Slice

The Slice

Safe travels start above the clouds. The Slice is your weekly roundup of aviation news and updates for the summer.

Memorial Day Travel Forecast

The FAA is gearing up for another busy Memorial Day weekend. We’re expecting more than 54,000 flights on Thursday as travelers head out for the long weekend. Arrive to the airport early, and always check your flight status. 

Traveling With Kids

Getting yourself ready for travel is a task all in itself; traveling with kids can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be with the proper preparation. 

From preparing your little ones for their first flight to installing a CARES Child Safety Device on an airplane, the FAA has curated a list of key logistics and safety tips to help kids, parents and fellow passengers alike enjoy their flights.

Learn more at the Kids' Corner

a family traveling together at an airport

Know Before You Fly

Travel tips to ensure you reach your destination safely and smoothly this summer.

What's driving delays?

The FAA's priority is safety, meaning that, sometimes, delays are necessary. The interactive chart below shows data on the top five causes of delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). 

Weather is the leading cause of delays and cancelations, but the FAA’s Command Center works closely with airlines to plan for, and around, expected weather nationwide. Learn more about how the FAA navigates around bad weather and works with pilots to help keep flights safe during turbulence.

Responding to Severe Weather

  • Severe Summer Weather Strategies

    Learn how flights get to their destinations during summer months when storms are more frequent.

  • Navigating Bad Weather

    From turbulence and extreme heat to lightning protection, the Joint Air Traffic Operations Command plans for expected weather nationwide.

  • #FAAWeatherSquad

    Get the latest weather forecasts from the FAA Weather Squad on X.

Are cancelations getting better or worse?

Flight cancelations are trending lower than in previous years, but a canceled flight still has the potential to throw off your travel plans. The Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides data on delays and cancelations across the country.

DOT has launched an interactive Customer Service Dashboard to provide travelers with up-to-date airline customer service policies on controllable cancelations and delays to ensure customers can easily access information when problems arise.

How You Can Plan Ahead

As more travelers take to the skies, the FAA has your back to improve your passenger experience. You might not be a pilot or an air traffic controller, but you can take steps to make your trip as smooth as possible. Knowing what to expect during busier-than-usual travel times can save time and stress. 

From tracking the status of your airport to showing you how to pack safely, the FAA has a host of resources to help travelers plan ahead. Remember, the FAA has a zero-tolerance policy against unruly airline passengers in the wake of recent, troubling incidents.

Safe, Smooth Air Travel All Year Round

The FAA is committed to keeping travel safe and smooth. That's why we've taken several steps to achieve that.

plane at an airport

Safety is Our Mission

We are continuously proactive, consistent, and deliberative in executing our responsibilities to the American public.

a laser pointed at the cockpit of a plane in flight

Laser Safety

Pointed to the sky, lasers are a serious threat. Find out what the FAA is doing to address the dangers posed by lasers.

a person being arrested

Unruly Passengers

Dangerous behavior doesn't fly. The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy on unruly passenger behavior.