High winds at SFO prompt FAA ground delay program, Terminal 1 closure

Strong gusts, rain and low clouds disrupted operations at San Francisco International Airport on Feb. 11, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to impose a ground delay program that limited arrivals and forced airlines to hold SFO‑bound departures at their origin airports. The airport also closed Terminal 1’s departures lobby for more than an hour during police activity, creating added congestion for passengers and curbside traffic.

The FAA action was implemented to limit arrivals to 28 aircraft per hour. As ABC7 put it, the measure was designed “to keep the number of aircraft arriving below 28 per hour.” KTVU added that “the program, which is scheduled to last until 6 p.m., requires airlines to delay SFO‑bound departures from their origin airports to keep arrival rates below 28 aircraft per hour.” ABC7 also noted local weather conditions, writing, “Winds are gusting around 16 mph, while clouds and rain are also present. While safe to land, the ground delay program is in place as an additional safety margin.”

Operational snapshots reported by local outlets show varying magnitudes of disruption. ABC7, citing FlightAware, reported “over 174 flights have been delayed while only two have been canceled,” with delays averaging about 55 minutes and a warning that delays “may extend beyond two hours.” Yahoo and the San Francisco Chronicle, using a different FlightAware snapshot, put the total higher at “270 flights delayed at the SFO, mostly arrivals, as well as 21 cancellations,” and cited an FAA figure of a 1 hour and 38 minute average arrival delay. KTVU’s time‑stamped report said that “as of 2:30 p.m., departing flights from SFO were delayed an average of 55 minutes, with some maximum delays reaching 149 minutes.” Airhelp summarized the scene as “major operational challenges,” saying “San Francisco International Airport faced major operational challenges as a powerful storm system moved through the Bay Area, accompanied by damaging winds.”

The terminal disruption added to traveler headaches. Yahoo and the Chronicle reported that Terminal 1’s departures lobby was closed for over an hour and reopened around 10:45 a.m.; KRON4 reported police found an unattended suspicious package on the upper level. The Chronicle noted airport staff have at times shuffled aircraft among SFO’s four airstrips to keep traffic moving on windy days. The airport advised travelers there was heavy roadway congestion and recommended dropping off at the International Terminal and using the AirTrain; Terminal 1 passengers without checked luggage were advised they could be dropped at other terminals and use less congested security checkpoints.

Passengers should monitor airline communications and expect rebooking or schedule changes. Airhelp urged travelers to “allow extra time for travel, stay updated through official channels, and remain patient while operational teams address the weather‑related backlog.” Airhelp’s passenger‑rights guidance adds: “If your flight is canceled, you are entitled to a new flight or a refund.” It also says, “If your flight is delayed by more than two to four hours, your airline must provide food and drink vouchers,” and “For overnight delays, airlines must provide hotel stays and transfers, regardless of whether compensation applies.” The same Airhelp page also lists “Not eligible for compensation” in a quick facts box.

For Bay Area travelers, the immediate takeaway is practical: check your carrier before heading to the airport, give yourself extra travel time, and consider the International Terminal and AirTrain to avoid curbside delays. With forecasts and industry trackers suggesting damaging winds may persist, further delays or cancellations are possible into the evening as operations normalize and the FAA evaluates whether to lift the ground delay program.