Travel Nightmare to Get WORSE as FAA Names Airports Expecting Chaos

The US government shutdown is triggering massive flight cancellations that officials warn will triple by next week, potentially affecting nearly 10,000 flights on Thanksgiving eve.

Key Takeaways

Flight cancellations to increase from 4% to 10% of domestic flights by November 14
40 major airports affected, with worst delays at Reagan, Newark, O’Hare
Thanksgiving travel could see up to 9,800 cancellations
Passengers entitled to full refunds for cancelled flights

FAA Mandates Steep Flight Reductions

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to cancel 6% of domestic flights starting Tuesday, increasing to 8% on Thursday and 10% by Friday, November 14. This could mean approximately 3,500 cancelled flights daily affecting 268,000 passengers.

Over 1,000 flights are expected to be cancelled on Saturday and Sunday across 40 major US airports (Stock Image)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the government shutdown continues, 20% of all domestic flights could be cancelled later this month – over 7,000 trips daily.

Worst-Affected Airports

Several major hubs are expected to experience severe disruptions:

Ronald Reagan Washington National: Only 62% of flights on time monthly
Newark Liberty International: Over 36% of flights delayed
Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth: All experiencing over 35% monthly delays

These airports already rank among the nation’s worst for delays, with Reagan placing 74th out of 75 airports surveyed.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (left) and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford (right) made the announcement Wednesday, with Bedford admitting the airline industry could be headed for uncharted territory

Thanksgiving Travel Crisis

The situation could reach crisis levels by Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, November 26, approximately 9,800 flights could be cancelled throughout the US – one of the busiest travel days of the year.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford admitted the airline industry is heading into “uncharted territory” with the staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown.

Airline-Specific Cancellations

Major carriers have already begun cutting flights:

United Airlines: 324 flights cancelled Saturday-Sunday
American Airlines: 205 flights cancelled Saturday
Delta: 158 flights cancelled Saturday, 175 on Sunday

All three airlines expect cancellations to “skyrocket” as the new week begins.

Flyers are Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Pictured) have been among the customers affected by growing cancellations on domestic flights

Exemptions and Passenger Rights

International flights, private jets, charter flights, military flights, and cargo planes for UPS and FedEx are exempt from the cutbacks. The FAA’s mandated cancellations specifically target domestic flights between 6am and 10pm local time.

Frontier CEO Barry Biffle recommended customers traveling within 10 days book backup tickets on different airlines to avoid being stranded.

Air traffic control towers across the US, including at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Pictured), have gone dark for hours over the last month due to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown

Passengers affected by cancellations are entitled to full refunds. Travelers should monitor their bookings closely and check with carriers about specific flight status.