FAA Ground Stop Disrupts Lions Fans’ Trip to Germany

Detroit Lions fans heading to Germany for the team’s game against the Patriots in Munich were among travelers whose plans were disrupted by a nationwide FAA ground stop. Flights later resumed at Detroit Metro Airport, though delays and confusion continued to affect passengers on November 13.

One fan who had boarded earlier in the day had to leave her original flight and book a new route through Paris. She eventually departed at about 9 p.m. Rachida Patterson and her family learned of the delay while driving from Detroit to the airport. “We were like panicking,” Patterson said.

Max and Andrea Stark, of Livonia, were already dealing with a canceled Thursday flight because of weather. The disruption left them unsure whether they would reach Germany in time for the game. Randall and Thelma Woodard, of Detroit, were waiting in long lines for a Turkish Airlines flight connecting through Istanbul. The trip was planned for Randall’s 50th birthday, and the airline told them their international flight was expected to proceed.

Therapy dogs were brought around the airport to comfort travelers. Nancy Langley came in with Lexi, her dog wearing a blue Lions bandanna, after seeing news of the delays. She said petting the dog helped calm anxious passengers. The ground stop’s effects also reached other travelers: Roy Thomas, bound for Dallas, said he had been rebooked and had a hotel for the night.