SAN FRANCISCO, California — November 10, 2026 — Dense fog and low clouds led the FAA to stop SFO-bound flights several times on Monday morning, November 9. By about 10:30 a.m. Pacific time, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) had 187 delayed flights and three cancellations, with many flights held at their origin airports before they could leave for San Francisco.
What happened
- First ground stop: began shortly before 8 a.m. PT and was lifted around 9:15 a.m. A ground delay program stayed in place afterwards to meter arrivals.
- More stops followed: FAA advisories show another restriction on SFO-bound flights around 10:28 a.m. and another ground stop shortly before noon, as low ceilings kept limiting operations.
- Visibility: the San Francisco Chronicle reported visibility at the airport fell to about 0.13 miles around 8 a.m. The National Weather Service had a dense fog advisory out for San Francisco and the bay shoreline, with visibility as low as a quarter of a mile.
- Delays: 187 delayed flights and 3 cancellations by late morning; some arrivals averaged about 63 minutes late. These were not final totals, and the full-day count is TBA.
| Time (PT, Nov. 9) | FAA action |
|---|---|
| Shortly before 8:00 a.m. | Ground stop for SFO-bound flights |
| About 9:15 a.m. | Ground stop lifted; ground delay program continues |
| About 10:28 a.m. | New restriction on SFO-bound flights |
| Shortly before noon | Another ground stop |
Why it matters
SFO is especially prone to coastal fog because it sits on the edge of San Francisco Bay. In low visibility, aircraft need more spacing, so the airport can handle fewer arrivals, and the FAA holds flights at their departure airports even when the weather there is clear. Late inbound aircraft then push delays into the rest of the day.
What it means for non-revs
- Morning arrivals are the weak spot. On fog days, the first wave into SFO is the most likely to be held. A midday or afternoon flight gives the fog time to burn off.
- Expect fuller later flights. Passengers who misconnect after morning delays get rebooked onto later SFO flights, which squeezes standby seats for the rest of the day. Check loads again before you list.
- You can be held far from San Francisco. A ground stop keeps SFO-bound flights on the ground at their origin, so watch your flight status even if the sky is clear where you are.
- Have a backup. Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are alternatives when SFO is metered, and carrying on keeps it easy to switch flights or airports.
Sources
- Rus Tourism News — San Francisco Airport Flights Grounded as Fog Triggers Multiple FAA Stops (November 10, 2026)
Get NonRev Travel News by email
A weekly recap newsletter, sent out every Sunday, with the airline, airport, cruise and travel-warning news that matters to airline employees and retirees. Free.
Subscribe free
