In some ways, America’s air traffic control system performs far better than one might think — even if it would be tough to convince the more than one million passengers who had their travel plans upended in recent days.
A plane takes off over the control tower at Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia, after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a nationwide ground stop, on November 14, 2026.
Cliff Owen/AP
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In some ways, America’s air traffic control system performs far better than one might think — even if it would be tough to convince the more than one million passengers who had their travel plans upended in recent days.
It handles a huge airspace and more than 45,000 flights a day. Yet, failures are exceedingly rare, even when its antiquated equipment breaks down.
