Travelers across the country scrambled to make it to their destinations as thousands of flights were delayed or canceled on Sunday, the third day of government-mandated flight cuts during the ongoing shutdown.
As of 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, more than 2,300 flights within, into or out of the United States had been delayed, according to FlightAware. Over 1,300 flights had already been canceled.
Some disruptions and delays were reported during the first two days of cuts, but uncertainty looms as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that flight cancellations will grow if the government shutdown continues. He painted a stark picture for travelers on Sunday, telling CNN that flights could reduce to a “trickle” ahead of the busy holiday season.
Cuts will continue as air traffic controllers at dozens of airports work without pay and come under major staffing strain. The first round of 4% cuts at 40 airports across the United States began Nov. 7, and is set to increase to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13 and 10% by Nov. 14, Duffy said last week.
But the Transportation secretary also told Americans that the number could rise to 15% or even 20% of all scheduled flights. With cancellations and delays at the top of travelers’ minds, especially only weeks before Thanksgiving, here is what to know as the airline disruptions enter their third day.
Transportation secretary issues warning: ‘It’s only going to get worse’
Table of Contents
- Transportation secretary issues warning: ‘It’s only going to get worse’
- Winter storm could exacerbate travel challenges
- Are private jet flights impacted by flight cancellations?
- How many flights have been delayed, canceled on Sunday
- Travelers find roundabout ways to their destinations
- How many United flights were canceled on Sunday? What about Monday and Tuesday?
- What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds
- Are international flights affected?
- Why is the government shutdown disrupting flights?
- Which airports are impacted by the cuts?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned in an interview that air travel will only continue to get worse, as the country barrels into the third day of government-mandated flight cancellations on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Appearing on CNN, Duffy spoke of the continued crisis hitting the country’s airlines and airports, and cautioned Americans should brace for conditions to worsen as peak holiday travel season begins
“It’s only going to get worse,” he said. “I look to the two weeks before Thanksgiving, you’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle.”
Over 1,000 flights were canceled across the United States by the afternoon on Saturday, Nov. 8, according to FlightAware data. Flightaware reported more than 1,100 had already been canceled for Sunday, Nov. 9.
“We have a number of people who want to get home for the holidays, they want to see their families, they want to celebrate this great American holiday,” Duffy said. “Listen, many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly unless this thing doesn’t open back up.”
Winter storm could exacerbate travel challenges
A winter storm brewing in the Midwest could worsen travel disruptions caused by the FAA-mandated flight cancellations early this week.
Parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois are forecast to receive up to 18 inches of snow between Sunday and Monday. Forecasters say intense snow bands could make travel conditions near impossible in the region, including in the Chicago and Detroit metro areas.
Transportation officials have described the FAA flight cancellations as akin to those caused by a midsize winter storm. But, with an actual winter storm now in the mix, it’s unclear how flights will be impacted. Matt Morawski, a spokesperson for Detroit Metropolitan Airport, told USA TODAY via email that the storm is so far “not having an impact on operations.”
Officials at Chicago O’Hare did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
According to the website FlightAware, 117 flights were canceled Sunday at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and 270 others were delayed. Detroit Metropolitan Airport listed 59 cancellations and 61 delays for Sunday.
Are private jet flights impacted by flight cancellations?
Yes, the FAA has implemented restrictions for private jets. Duffy said on social media Saturday that officials reduced the volume of private jets at “high traffic airports” and is routing them to smaller airfields.
“That’s only fair,” Duffy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He added that jets for medical transports, emergencies and law enforcement would be prioritized.
How many flights have been delayed, canceled on Sunday
As of 9am ET on Sunday, Nov. 9, thousands of domestic and international flights have already been canceled or delayed throughout the country.
According to FlightAware, there have been just under 1,200 delays within, into, or out of the United States. Approximately 1,200 flights have also been canceled.
Delta, SkyWest and Southwest were among the top affected airlines, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport had the most number of delays and cancellations so far.
Travelers find roundabout ways to their destinations
Thousands of travelers across the country have had their plans thrown in limbo because of the flight cuts.
On Friday, the first day the cuts went into effect, Carey Driscoll, found herself unexpectedly in Indianapolis while trying to make it home to Northern Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati.
When the Chicago to Cincinnati flight of Driscoll’s two-leg trip home from Fort Lauderdale was canceled by American Airlines, the former travel advisor savvily found a flight out of Miami to Indianapolis.
“I was worried I was going to have to spend 12 hours in Chicago-O’Hare and then maybe get home,” she said. “So I changed it.”
After landing in Indianapolis, Driscoll worked on a laptop, waiting for her mother-in-law to pick her up to start the two-hour journey back to Northern Kentucky.
– Alyssa Guffey, Indianapolis Star
How many United flights were canceled on Sunday? What about Monday and Tuesday?
United Airlines confirmed to USA TODAY that it will cancel 158 flights on Sunday, as well as 190 on Monday and as many as 269 on Tuesday.
Airlines are encouraging travelers to download their apps onto smartphones if they need to reschedule a flight or make a new travel plan.
– Jay Cannon
What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds
If your flight is canceled, Scott Keyes, founder of Going, recommended using the airlines’ mobile app to rebook as soon as possible. If passengers need to speak with someone by phone, Keyes suggested calling one of the carrier’s international lines.
“The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight,” Keyes told USA TODAY. “When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it’s a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.”
If your flight is affected by shutdown-related staffing issues, you may not be entitled to much. FAA staffing is considered outside of an airline’s control, so carriers aren’t on the hook in the same way they would be for delays caused by mechanical issues or other problems on their end.
Still, if your flight is canceled for any reason, including a shortage of air traffic controllers, you’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by your airline. The same goes for “significant” delays or changes.
Are international flights affected?
The mandated flight cuts do not require airlines to cancel any international flights, Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Brian Bedford said.
But airlines can choose to make changes to their international flights as they desire, they said. International flights are generally higher ticket items for airlines, and experts say their bottom lines will help drive decisions on which flights to cut.
United, Southwest and Delta airlines have said their international flights won’t see reductions. Still, international travelers should remain alert as they could face trouble if they have domestic connecting flights that get canceled or delayed.
Why is the government shutdown disrupting flights?
As the government shutdown continues without a clear end in sight, thousands of federal workers have been sent home, except for those deemed essential, including many air traffic controllers, who are still at work without pay.
The FAA says, after reviewing data over the past month, that the “system is stressed,” according to an emergency order. Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, delays and “unpredictable staffing shortages” are “driving fatigue” and “risk is further increasing.”
“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” Bedford said.
-Cybele Mayes-Osterman
Which airports are impacted by the cuts?
The FAA has selected the following airports for the gradual increase in cancellations:
- TPA – Tampa International Airport
- ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
- ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
- BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- DAL – Dallas Love Field
- DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- IT – Denver International Airport
- DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- EEA – Newark Liberty International Airport
- FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
- HRT – Honolulu International Airport
- NEW – William P. Hobby Airport
- THEY – Washington Dulles International Airport
- IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
- IND – Indianapolis International Airport
- JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
- LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
- LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
- MCO – Orlando International Airport
- MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport
- MEM – Memphis International Airport
- MIA – Miami International Airport
- MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
- OAK – Oakland International Airport
- ONT – Ontario International Airport
- ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- PDX – Portland International Airport
- PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
- PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- SAN – San Diego International Airport
- SDF – Louisville International Airport
- SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
- SFO – San Francisco International Airport
- SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
- TEB – Teterboro Airport
