As the United States enters the 40th day of the longest federal government shutdown in its history, the nation’s air travel system is facing unprecedented strain. With Thanksgiving fast approaching—a time when millions of Americans traditionally take to the skies to reunite with loved ones—officials warn that continued gridlock in Washington could bring air traffic to a virtual standstill, leaving travelers stranded and holiday plans in limbo.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivered a sobering assessment on Sunday, November 9, 2025, appearing on multiple news programs to highlight the mounting crisis. "As I look two weeks out, as we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle as everyone wants to travel to see their families," Duffy told Fox News Sunday. He cautioned that with "very few" air traffic controllers coming to work as the shutdown drags on, "you’ll have a few flights taking off and landing" but thousands of cancellations. "You’re going to have massive disruption. I think a lot of angry Americans. I think we have to be honest about where this is going. It doesn’t get better. It gets worse until these air traffic controllers are going to be paid."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began mandating flight reductions at the nation’s busiest airports on Friday, November 7, 2025. The initial 4% cut is only the beginning: reductions are set to increase to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and up to 10% by November 14. These cuts, in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, impact all commercial airlines and are intended to relieve pressure on an already overtaxed system. According to FlightAware, more than 7,200 flights were delayed and 2,200 canceled by Sunday evening, November 9. That follows more than 1,500 cancellations on Saturday, and the numbers are expected to rise as the cuts ramp up.
The effects are being felt acutely at major travel hubs. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta led the nation with 173 cancellations on Sunday, while Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey followed with 115. New York City-area airports, including LaGuardia and Teterboro, are experiencing some of the longest delays—LaGuardia’s average departure delay exceeds two and a half hours. At Chicago O’Hare International, over 1,000 flights have been delayed and 320 canceled, while Atlanta’s airport has seen over 580 delays and nearly 400 cancellations. Even Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, typically bustling, was described as "mostly empty" Sunday morning, with minimal wait times as delays and cancellations dominated the departures board.
Behind the scenes, the crisis is driven by a severe shortage of air traffic controllers. Many have gone unpaid for nearly a month and are increasingly opting not to show up for work. Duffy noted that the government has been short of controllers for years, with multiple presidential administrations struggling to retain retirement-age staff. The shutdown, however, has "exacerbated the problem, leading some air traffic controllers to speed up their retirements." Duffy estimated that "up to 15 or 20 a day are retiring." The attrition rate, combined with unpaid staff, has forced the FAA’s hand in ordering flight reductions to maintain safety.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis have so far yielded little relief. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered to lend military air traffic controllers, but Duffy admitted it’s "unclear whether the staff is certified to work on civilian systems." Airlines have scrambled to adjust, with Southwest Airlines canceling more flights for Tuesday, November 11, to satisfy FAA requirements. "Sunday’s initial cancellations totaled 140. For Monday, we removed roughly 140 flights from the schedule, climbing to 155 on Tuesday to meet the FAA’s requirements," Southwest said in a statement, adding that most customers would not be disrupted and that affected travelers had been contacted.
The ripple effects go far beyond missed connections and long lines. Airlines for America, a trade group representing U.S. carriers, reported that air traffic control staffing-related delays exceeded 3,000 hours on Saturday, November 8—the highest of the shutdown—and that staffing problems contributed to 71% of delay time. From October 1 to November 7, controller shortages have disrupted travel for more than 4 million passengers. The group estimates a "daily U.S. economic impact of $285M-580M" when FAA-mandated flight reductions reach 10%, a staggering blow as the holiday shopping season ramps up.
Travelers themselves are feeling the stress. Megan Cooper, a spokesperson for AAA, offered advice for those determined to make it home for the holidays. "We typically suggest for people to fly early in the week or the weekend before Thanksgiving, if you have somewhere to be, if you have specific plans that you cannot miss, make sure you are getting to your destination a day or so early. That way, if cancellation, if a delay happens, you still have time to get to that important occasion." Cooper also advised allowing extra time for airport security and traffic, downloading airline apps for real-time notifications, and considering travel insurance—especially during a government shutdown. "By far and large, travel insurance is one of the big things that people overlook, even if you’re booking that trip yourself, it’s still nice to have that extra protection during a government shutdown."
For those hitting the road, Cooper urged travelers to ensure their vehicles are well maintained and to pack an emergency kit with essentials like a first aid kit and basic tools. With temperatures dropping, she emphasized the importance of being prepared for roadside waits. "If you are planning a road trip, go ahead and get that vehicle maintenance scheduled. If it’s been a while since you’ve had that vehicle maintained, get that done before you leave."
According to AAA, over half (54%) of Tennesseans plan to take at least one overnight trip during the 2025 holiday season, with 63% traveling for Thanksgiving and 73% for Christmas. Nationally, the story is similar: millions are hoping to travel, but the outlook grows dimmer by the day. Peak travel days are expected to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday before Thanksgiving, but Cooper suggests flying the Sunday or Monday before the holiday and returning on Saturday for smaller crowds and more options.
Meanwhile, political tensions are running high. Duffy has denied accusations from Democrats that the flight cancellations are a political tactic, insisting, "I needed to take action to keep people safe. I’m doing what I can in a mess that Democrats have put in my lap." On the other side, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries voiced hope that the shutdown would end before Thanksgiving, but remained skeptical about Republican offers, stating, "I don’t think that the House Democratic Caucus is prepared to support a promise, a wing and a prayer, from folks who have been devastating the health care of the American people for years."
As the shutdown drags on, analysts warn the impact could spill far beyond airports. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CBS, "Thanksgiving time is one of the hottest times of the year for the economy... If people aren’t traveling at that moment, then we really could be looking at a negative quarter for the fourth quarter." With air cargo also constrained by flight reductions at key hubs, the supply chain faces additional pressure just as holiday shipping peaks.
For now, Americans can only watch and wait as the clock ticks toward Thanksgiving. The fate of millions of travelers—and the broader economy—hangs in the balance, with no clear resolution in sight.
