As Thanksgiving approaches, the U.S. airline industry is experiencing a dramatic turnaround from the chaos of recent weeks. After enduring a historic 43-day federal government shutdown that brought air travel to its knees, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted all remaining flight restrictions at 40 major airports. This move, announced on November 20, 2025, signals a return to normalcy just in time for what is shaping up to be a record-breaking holiday travel season.
According to reporting from WMUR and Airlines for America, the shutdown’s impact was felt far and wide. Airlines were forced to slash schedules by 4% to 6% after an emergency FAA order on November 7, 2025, as staffing shortages among air-traffic controllers reached critical levels. The result? Widespread cancellations, operational constraints, and delays at major hubs like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. On November 9 alone, there were 81 controller staffing triggers, leading to more than 2,900 canceled flights in a single day.
Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America and former New Hampshire governor, testified before a Senate subcommittee on November 19 about the staggering costs. "The airlines themselves are taking a hit of about $50 million a day, just in the potential refunds to canceled passengers," Sununu stated, as cited by WMUR. "But more importantly, the American economy was feeling all of these dominoes fall. And when you add the impact to airlines and hotels and restaurants and rentals, the low estimate, we found, says that the flight cancellation impact was close to $500 million per day by Nov. 10."
The emergency order was among the most visible federal responses to the shutdown, intended to ensure safety amid concerns about controller fatigue and facility-level constraints. With air-traffic controller staffing stretched thin, the FAA’s mandate to cut flights was a last-resort measure to keep the skies safe. Yet, as the shutdown dragged on, cancellations mounted, and the ripple effects reached thousands of travelers.
For weeks, passengers faced uncertainty as airlines scrambled to adjust. Route planning was upended, ground delays became the norm, and reduced daily flight numbers made finding a seat on key routes a challenge. Airport officials and airline executives voiced concern about the strain on capacity, especially with the busy Thanksgiving period looming—a time when millions of Americans take to the skies to reunite with family and friends.
But there was light at the end of the tunnel. As staffing pressures eased, cancellations dropped sharply. By the weekend before the FAA’s announcement, flight cancellations had plummeted to less than 1%, a key indicator that the worst of the crisis had passed. Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator, explained the agency’s rationale: "Today’s decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the National Airspace System and allows us to return to normal operations."
With the restrictions lifted as of 6 a.m. ET on Monday, November 20, airlines are now restoring full schedules—just in time for the holiday rush. And what a rush it promises to be. Airlines for America projects more than 31 million passengers will fly between November 20 and December 2, 2025, a figure that would set a new Thanksgiving travel record. The surge is being fueled by a wave of last-minute bookings, now that travelers can count on restored flight frequencies and fewer disruptions.
Major carriers are rising to the occasion. One leading U.S. airline expects to operate nearly 81,000 flights over the Thanksgiving period, with its busiest day anticipated to be Sunday, November 30. To accommodate the influx, the airline is adding extra late-night flights from cities like Phoenix and Chicago. Monday, December 1, is expected to be even busier, with a record 1,077 flights in the air simultaneously at 11:10 a.m. CT. The airline also predicts it will handle nearly 5.6 million checked bags—a testament to the sheer volume of holiday travelers.
Another major carrier is forecasting its highest-ever Thanksgiving passenger count, expecting to fly over 6.6 million people during the holiday window—an increase of roughly 300,000 passengers compared to last year. Following the end of the shutdown, this airline reported a 15% boost in Thanksgiving bookings. Sunday, November 30, will be its busiest day, with more than 600,000 passengers expected to fly.
Inside the planes, passengers can look forward to some small comforts: over 2 million stroopwafel snacks will be served, and the much-anticipated movie Wicked is expected to be the most-watched film on board, coinciding with the upcoming release of its sequel. These details may seem minor, but they’re a sign that airlines are eager to offer a smooth and enjoyable experience after weeks of turbulence.
Despite the optimism, industry analysts and the FAA caution that the system may take time to fully return to pre-shutdown performance levels. Residual delays may persist as the national airspace transitions back to regular operations, and localized adjustments could still be necessary. The FAA emphasizes that operational oversight remains focused on safety and staffing allocation as facilities recover from the prolonged disruption.
Sununu, for his part, is urging lawmakers to learn from this ordeal. He called on Congress to pass legislation that would keep the FAA funded during any future government shutdowns, to prevent a repeat of this year’s chaos. The message is clear: while the system has proven resilient, it remains vulnerable to political brinkmanship.
As airlines ramp up operations and travelers pack airports across the country, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The industry’s robust recovery means millions of families can look forward to reuniting this Thanksgiving, with fewer disruptions than feared just weeks ago. Regulators and airlines alike are watching closely, ready to intervene if new issues arise. For now, though, the skies over America are open for business—and for holiday reunions—once again.
With the FAA’s flight restrictions lifted and airlines back at full strength, U.S. air travel appears poised for a busy, if still slightly bumpy, return to form this holiday season.
