Travelers across the United States are facing an unprecedented wave of flight cancellations and delays as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enacts sweeping reductions at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, a move triggered by the ongoing government shutdown that has stretched into its second month. The FAA’s order, published on November 6, 2025, mandates airlines to cut flights beginning November 7, with reductions starting at 4% and ramping up to 10% by November 14, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time. The impact is immediate and far-reaching, affecting not only passengers but also the broader air transportation system.
According to the Associated Press, more than 790 flights scheduled for November 7 were canceled—four times higher than the previous day. Industry analysts estimate that as many as 1,800 flights, or approximately 268,000 passengers, could be affected daily at the peak of these reductions. Major hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Charlotte, New York, Houston, Chicago, and Washington are among those bracing for disruptions, with multiple airports in some metropolitan areas facing simultaneous cuts.
The FAA’s decision comes in response to mounting strain on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, 2025. As the shutdown drags on—now the longest in U.S. history—staffing shortages have become acute, with many controllers taking sick days and enduring mandatory overtime. The agency’s order states, “With continued delays and unpredictable staffing shortages, which are driving fatigue, risk is further increasing, and the FAA is concerned with the system’s ability to maintain the current volume of operations.”
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy underscored the gravity of the situation in a statement: “My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay.” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford echoed this, telling CBS News, “I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures. Then again, we’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”
Airlines scrambled to comply with the FAA’s directive, canceling flights and adjusting schedules even before the official order took effect. American Airlines announced it would reduce its schedule at the affected airports by 4% from November 7 through November 10—about 220 cancellations each day—while maintaining its international schedule. Southwest Airlines reported canceling 120 flights on November 7, representing a 4% reduction across 34 of its airports, with fewer than 100 cancellations expected the following day. United Airlines said it would focus its cuts on regional flights, aiming to preserve long-haul international and hub-to-hub routes. “United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA,” CEO Scott Kirby told employees in a note posted online.
For travelers, the situation is fraught with uncertainty. Airlines are required by the Department of Transportation to refund fares for canceled flights, even for non-refundable tickets, but they are not obligated to cover secondary costs such as food and lodging unless the delay or cancellation is directly their fault. Many carriers, including American, Delta, and Southwest, have waived change fees and are offering more flexibility for passengers to rebook or seek refunds. Still, the disruptions are expected to ripple through the system for days, if not weeks.
Passengers have been advised to keep a close eye on communications from their airlines and to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. John Rose, chief risk and security officer at Altour, recommended using airline apps to track inbound flights and avoid checking luggage if possible. “Plan to be stuck somewhere for an extra day,” he told CBS News. Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle even suggested buying backup tickets on another carrier for critical travel plans, such as weddings or funerals, to avoid being stranded.
The effects of the shutdown and resulting flight reductions are not limited to passenger travel. The FAA’s order also restricts commercial space launches to the hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting November 10, which could force companies like SpaceX to reschedule afternoon launches. Additionally, airports with major cargo operations, such as FedEx’s Memphis hub and UPS’s Louisville facility, are on the list, potentially disrupting package deliveries nationwide.
Data from Cirium and CBS News highlight the growing impact on punctuality at major airports. In the week after air traffic controllers missed their first paycheck on October 28, nearly a quarter of flights arrived late at 16 of the busiest U.S. airports, compared to 18% in September. Delays were especially pronounced in New York City, where fewer than 65% of flights arrived on time at the three major airports during that week, a sharp drop from more than 81% in September. Meanwhile, airports in Seattle and Denver fared somewhat better, with on-time performance improving slightly over the same period.
The FAA has made it clear that airlines failing to comply with the reduced capacity limits could face hefty fines—up to $75,000 per flight over the threshold, and smaller carriers classified as small businesses could be fined up to $16,630 per violation. To minimize chaos, the agency has allowed airlines to gradually increase their cuts: 4% on November 7, 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and the full 10% by November 14, unless a deal is reached to reopen the government.
Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt warned, “This is going to have a noticeable impact across the U.S. air transportation system.” The U.S. Travel Association echoed concerns about the long-term effects on passenger confidence and the broader economy. “The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system and damaging confidence in the U.S. air travel experience,” said President and CEO Geoff Freeman.
Air traffic controllers, represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, have voiced alarm over the growing risks. Union president Nick Daniels told CBS News, “Every day the government shutdown drags on and workers go without pay, risk is going to increase. As that risk increases, you have to begin reducing the capacity of the system and take down the number of flights in order to ensure the safety of it.”
As the holiday season approaches, travelers, airlines, and federal officials alike are left hoping for a swift resolution to the shutdown. Until then, the nation’s air travel system will operate under a cloud of uncertainty, with safety—and patience—tested as never before.
