Cancellations Climb as Airlines Hustle to Meet FAA’s Shutdown Flight Cuts

CBS News, CNN, the New York Times, USA Today, and Business Insider contributed to this report.

America’s air travel just hit a new headwind. Starting 6 a.m. ET Friday, airlines began paring schedules after the FAA ordered staggered cuts — 4% now, ramping to 10% by Nov. 14 — at 40 high-impact airports to cope with a shortage of air traffic controllers during the record government shutdown.

What’s happening

• Hundreds of flights scrapped: By late morning, more than 840 US flights were canceled (about 3% of departures), with nearly 1,500 delays stacking up. Chicago O’Hare led cancellations, followed by Atlanta, Denver, Dallas–Fort Worth and LAX.

• Who’s cutting what: American (~221 Friday flights), United (~184), Delta (~173), and Southwest (~73) trimmed schedules, mostly regional hops while protecting long-haul and hub-to-hub routes.

• Gradual throttle-down: The DOT’s glidepath is 4% today, 6% Tuesday (Nov. 11), 8% Thursday (Nov. 13), and 10% Friday (Nov. 14) — unless Washington reopens the government.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford say safety drove the decision. Controllers working 10-hour days, six days a week — and unpaid — have fueled fatigue, more tarmac incursions, and “loss-of-separation” close calls.

“The data is going in the wrong direction,” Duffy said, calling the step a preemptive safety move.

What airlines are doing

• Rebooking & refunds: Carriers are waiving change fees and offering refunds for canceled flights. United says 80%+ of affected travelers have been rebooked, most within four hours of original plans.

• Targeted trims: Examples: Dallas–San Antonio 11→10 daily; Dallas–Northwest Arkansas 10→8; Boston–Reagan National 10→9.

• International mostly spared: The order doesn’t require cutting overseas flights; big carriers say long-hauls stay largely intact.

The 40 airports span every region — think ATL, ORD, DFW, DEN, LAX, JFK/LGA/EWR, SFO, SEA, PHX, IAH/HOU, CLT, MIA, BOS, PHL, DCA/IAD/BWI, plus Anchorage and Honolulu. Early lines grew at some checkpoints (Houston warned 45–60+ min waits).

Traveling soon? Quick tips

• Check early & often (airline app/website) and track your aircraft’s inbound flight.

• Avoid checking bags if you can; pack meds and essentials in your carry-on.

• Consider earlier or nonstop options; regional spokes are taking the brunt.

• Know your rights: If your flight is canceled, you’re entitled to a refund (cash back, not just a credit).

• Must-arrive trips: Some execs suggest a refundable backup ticket on another airline — only if your budget allows.

The FAA says cutting volume now is the safest way to protect the system while controllers work without pay. Unions warn risk rises the longer the shutdown drags on. Even if a funding deal lands, officials caution operations won’t snap back overnight as staffing normalizes.

Expect a slow-building, nationwide ripple — less like a single storm day, more like a rolling squeeze. If you’re flying in the next week, plan extra time, keep alerts on, and have a Plan B.