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Cruise America Prepares for One-Way RV Requests After FAA Ground Stop

Cruise America one-way RV rental lines stayed open overnight after Friday's FAA ground stop left travelers looking for other ways home.

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Cruise America briefed its call centers on Friday to handle overnight questions from travelers whose flights were halted by a nationwide ground stop. The Mesa, Arizona, company is the nation's largest RV rental provider. It rents motorhomes one way between most of its locations.

Key points

  • Cruise America briefed its call centers on Friday to answer overnight questions from travelers grounded by the FAA's nationwide ground stop.
  • The FAA's ground stop took effect at 3:54 p.m. Eastern on Friday, and the agency cited a temporary telecommunications outage.
  • More than 4,000 flights had been canceled by 7 p.m. Eastern, ABC News reported.
  • Cruise America's reservation line is answering calls overnight, its rental locations reopen Saturday, and its existing one-way policy applies to new reservations.
  • Travelers can request a one-way rental at 1-800-671-8042; each route needs approval and depends on vehicles being available.

What happened with the FAA ground stop?

The Federal Aviation Administration's ground stop advisory took effect at 3:54 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, USA TODAY reported. The agency said on X that a temporary telecommunications outage was behind the order and that it had halted flights as a precaution. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication of an attack, according to ABC News.

More than 4,000 flights had been canceled by 7 p.m. Eastern, ABC News reported. Shortly after 6 p.m., the FAA said the stop remained in effect and that flights would depart as air traffic facilities recovered. It is the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023, ABC7 Los Angeles noted.

Ground options tightened within hours at some airports. WSB-TV in Atlanta reported Friday evening that several rental car companies at Hartsfield-Jackson airport had no cars available.

How is Cruise America responding?

Cruise America said its reservation line is answering calls overnight and its rental locations reopen on Saturday. The company's existing one-way policy applies to new reservations.

"A lot of families had their plans upended on Friday," said Randall Smalley, executive vice president of marketing at Cruise America. "The FAA put safety first, and airline teams are working hard to get people moving again. Our job is to take care of travelers whose vacations were disrupted."

How does a Cruise America one-way RV rental work?

Travelers can request a one-way rental by calling 1-800-671-8042. Each route has to be approved and depends on vehicles being available at the pickup location, according to Cruise America's rental FAQ. The price includes a daily rate and mileage, plus a drop-off fee that varies by route.

Drivers must be at least 21 and need a valid license and a major credit card. No special license is required.

"A motorhome is not the right answer for every trip," Smalley said. "If driving makes sense for your family, call us and we will tell you what is available near you."

Should grounded travelers call their airline first?

Cruise America is advising travelers to check with their airline first. Delta and United both issued waivers on Friday that let customers rebook without change fees, ABC News reported.

The FAA had not said when normal operations would resume as of Friday evening, according to USA TODAY.

For more on holiday-season travel and shipping, see the 2026 last days to ship for Christmas from USPS, UPS and FedEx and how Endless Freight added a 24/6 night dispatch desk.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a Cruise America RV one way after the FAA ground stop?

Yes. Cruise America says its existing one-way policy applies to new reservations, and travelers can request a one-way rental by calling 1-800-671-8042. Each route needs approval and depends on vehicles being available at the pickup location.

How much does a one-way RV rental from Cruise America cost?

The price includes a daily rate and mileage, plus a drop-off fee that varies by route, according to Cruise America.

What do I need to rent an RV from Cruise America?

Drivers must be at least 21 and need a valid driver's license and a major credit card. No special license is required.

Why did the FAA issue a nationwide ground stop?

The FAA said a temporary telecommunications outage was behind the order and that it halted flights as a precaution. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication of an attack.

Can I rebook my flight without a change fee?

Delta and United issued waivers on Friday that let customers rebook without change fees, ABC News reported. Cruise America advises checking with your airline first.

Sources

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