FAA pledges to work with airlines to fix Florida’s air traffic delays
Some relief could be coming to Florida's skies after large amounts of air traffic control-related delays in recent months.
The Federal Aviation Administration just wrapped up what it called a "productive" meeting in the state that included airlines, general aviation groups and unions about what can be done to reduce ATC delays in the skies over the Sunshine State, according to an agency statement.
Airlines have been increasingly vocal about the issue, which was viewed as a trigger for a Southwest operational meltdown last October. Executives from JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier all mentioned it prominently during earnings calls last month.
During the two-day gathering, airlines told the FAA that they will expect to continue boosting flight schedules to Florida. In response, the FAA said pledged that it will increase the authorized staffing "immediately" for the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center — known in the industry by its identifier, ZJX.
The ZJX facility handles high-altitude traffic and sequences traffic for destinations throughout the state. It has been acutely affected by staffing issues in recent years as older controllers retire and COVID-19 slows down the agency's ability to train new and transferring controllers. There is a caveat to this, however. While a staffing increase is a big deal for an air-traffic facility, it takes years for controllers to train and certify once they arrive at the facility — including existing controllers who transfer from other facilities.
The FAA will also create what's known as a "playbook" that addresses the Florida's myriad issues that can spark delays — everything from staffing to convective weather (thunderstorms), rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center and military activity. It's a tactic the agency already has put to use in the crowed airspace around metro New York, where three of the nation's busiest airports operate within a few miles of each other. The FAA will work with airlines and general aviation groups to develop its new Florida playbook. It's expected to include pre-made routings that can be easily filed and other measures the agency hopes can add more predictability to air traffic operations in Florida when these events happen.
More: Space ships, storms and other reasons your Florida flight could be delayed this summer
In its statement, the FAA said that the meetings will continue.
"The agency will continue meeting with all users of the Florida airspace throughout the summer to continually improve the operational efficiency of the system," the agency said.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees