As the U.S. federal government shutdown drags into its second week, travelers across the country are facing mounting chaos at airports, with flight delays, cancellations, and a growing sense of uncertainty about what comes next. The effects of the shutdown, which began in late September and has now stretched to October 8, 2025, have rippled through the nation’s aviation system, exposing deep vulnerabilities in America’s air travel infrastructure and leaving both passengers and workers in a bind.
On Wednesday, October 8, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that shortages of air traffic controllers were causing delays at airports nationwide. According to the FAA, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport experienced half-hour delays late Wednesday afternoon due to staffing issues. Earlier in the week, airports in Chicago, Newark, Denver, and Nashville also reported disruptions, and the air traffic control tower in Burbank, California, had to shut down for several hours. In total, about 10,000 flights were delayed on Monday and Tuesday, with disruptions dropping to just over 3,200 on Wednesday, as reported by CNBC.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation directly, stating, “The FAA is seeing a slight uptick in sick calls of air traffic controllers.” He emphasized that the shutdown is “exacerbating concerns about the strain on air traffic controllers, a shortage of whom has vexed airline executives for years.” Duffy urged Congress to pass a funding bill, warning against using the shutdown as leverage: “Open up the government, take the months to have a conversation and negotiate, but let’s not use this as leverage with hardworking Americans that keep our skies safe for political benefit.”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which represents nearly 20,000 controllers, highlighted the extraordinary dedication of its members. In a statement, the union said, “Nearly 11,000 fully certified controllers remain on the job, many working 10-hour shifts as many as six days a week, showing extraordinary dedication to safely guiding millions of passengers to their destinations—all without getting paid during this shutdown.”
Meanwhile, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers—about 50,000 strong—are also working without pay. The TSA posted on X (formerly Twitter), “While TSA is prepared to continue screening about 2.5M passengers a day, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports. We kindly ask for our passengers’ patience during this time.”
The situation is not just a matter of inconvenience. Experts and union leaders warn that the impact could grow significantly worse if the shutdown continues and employees begin missing paychecks. According to the Associated Press, the FAA is anticipating nationwide disruptions due to staffing shortages at several major control centers. Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, explained, “This shutdown is different from when a single airline is having problems and travelers can just pick another carrier. This is creating problems for entire airports at once. As these problems expand and spread, and the longer the shutdown drags on, it’s unlikely that there will be one airline running on time if the rest of them are failing. It’s going to affect the entire system over time.”
For travelers, the uncertainty is palpable. Passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport using airline apps, websites, or the FAA’s delay site. Experts say it’s better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than stranded in an airport terminal. If a flight is canceled, passengers should immediately seek rebooking via customer service representatives, online platforms, or even social media, as airlines may respond quickly on X.
Airlines are rebooking passengers on later flights at no additional charge, and for now, the fact that it’s not peak travel season means there’s a better chance of finding available seats. However, with the busy holiday season looming, delays and cancellations could become even more disruptive. If rebooking isn’t possible, passengers are legally entitled to a refund—even if they bought a non-refundable ticket. This includes refunds for bag fees, seat upgrades, or other extras not used. As Kyle Potter told the Associated Press, “If the airline cancels your flight, you can say, ‘Alright. I will take a refund and get my money back.’ The important piece is that you get your payment returned to you. You’re not just settling for an airline voucher that may expire in a year or less.”
But what about compensation for the inconvenience? U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation or cover lodging and meals for stranded passengers, even if a flight cancellation or severe delay is the airline’s fault. The Biden administration had proposed a rule that would have required airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more circumstances—compensation ranging from about $200 to as high as $775. However, as noted by the Associated Press, the Trump administration scrapped that proposal last month, and airlines praised the move. Potter remarked, “In the United States, Americans have shockingly few rights as travelers. When things go wrong, it’s really left up to the airline industry to decide what it means to do right by customers.”
Some additional tips for navigating the chaos: If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has a higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, use their frequent flyer number when calling customer service for potentially faster assistance. You can also try calling the airline’s international support number, which may have shorter wait times. And above all, be patient and polite—airline agents are dealing with an avalanche of frustrated travelers, and the cancellation isn’t their fault.
Travel insurance or credit card benefits might help offset some costs, but coverage is not guaranteed. Passengers are advised to check the fine print to see if they’re covered in situations like this, where a shortage of workers causes flight disruptions.
As the shutdown continues, the strain on the aviation system shows no signs of easing. The government shutdown of late 2018 and early 2019 serves as a cautionary tale: it ended only after a shortage of air traffic controllers snarled air travel in New York, prompting urgent action. Whether history will repeat itself remains to be seen, but for now, travelers and workers alike are left hoping for a swift resolution—and a return to normalcy in America’s skies.
