MW Here's what to do if your travel plans are disrupted by the FAA cutting 10% of flights at the 40 biggest airports

By Charles Passy

Airlines say they will be flexible when it comes to letting passengers change or cancel their plans

Passengers go through TSA checkpoints at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A nationwide staffing shortage of air-traffic controllers has led to many flight delays since the government shutdown on Oct. 1, and now the Federal Aviation Administration says it will be cutting traffic by 10% at 40 major airports because of the situation.

Your travel plans may soon be up in the air.

With the news that the Federal Aviation Administration will be cutting traffic by 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday because of the ongoing government shutdown, flight delays and cancellations are widely anticipated. The affected airports include all three major ones in the New York City area, plus those in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Francisco, according to reports.

But travel experts warn that it's not just about the specific airports involved. Once a flight is delayed or canceled, it ripples throughout the entire system, potentially leaving passengers in limbo throughout the country. Paul Bernardini, head of marketing for Flighty, a travel app, warns that up to 40% of flights could be delayed as a result of the FAA reductions.

And Bernadini says travelers may be facing some tough choices about whether to fly or not in the days ahead.

"They have to make a call: Do they need to go?" he said.

Those who are planning to travel are already preparing for problems.

"I'm packing my patience," said Jamie Haley, a marketing consultant based in Palm Springs, Calif. She's planning to travel Friday to Toronto for a friend's wedding, with a layover in Phoenix.

Haley says she is glad she built in some extra time to get to her destination, adding she's willing to stay in Toronto an extra day if her return flight is delayed or canceled. But she's not happy about the potential issues she could face. "I'm expecting a worst-case scenario," she said.

Not that airlines are leaving passengers in the dark. Most have indicated they expect flights to operate normally, but they say they will keep passengers informed by email or text, or through their app.

Delta Air Lines $(DAL)$ said it "will work to minimize customer impact while keeping safety our top priority." American Airlines $(AAL)$ said it will "proactively reach out to customers who are impacted."

The big question, however, is what happens if things go awry, with a significant delay or cancellation. Airlines are generally saying that they will be flexible, but experts always advise checking with individual airlines for their specific policies.

Delta said it will allow customers "to change, cancel or refund their flights, including our basic economy fares, without penalty." Frontier $(ULCC)$ said, "Customers whose flights are canceled or delayed for more than 3 hours (domestic flights) or 6 hours (international flights) are able to rebook or to request a refund."

To some degree, federal policy dictates this. That is, if an airline cancels a flight or makes a significant change, travelers are entitled to a full refund if they choose not to fly. The Transportation Department says this rule applies regardless of the reason for the cancellation or change.

If you need to fly no matter what, travel insurance can be an option. But a lot depends on what type you purchase. "Standard insurance policies usually do not cover delays or cancellations that result from government shutdowns," said Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, a company that specializes in insurance solutions.

That's why he and others suggest considering what's known as a "cancel for any reason" policy. As its name implies, it offers far more robust coverage. But such a policy may have its own limitations, such as refunding only 50% to 75% of the trip costs.

Of course, you can also opt to travel by train or bus - or drive to your destination.

Amtrak, the national rail provider, told MarketWatch over email that it's "reasonable to expect" more passengers packing into its trains if the flight delays and cancellations become pervasive. "In the meantime, we encourage travelers to book now and early for guaranteed reservations," Amtrak added for those who decide to ride the rails instead.

Amtrak has also indicated it's expecting its busiest Thanksgiving season ever, with double-digit growth in early bookings compared with 2024. And it's encouraging travelers to buy their tickets "before they sell out."

Genna Contino and Nicole Lyn Pesce contributed to this story.

-Charles Passy

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November 06, 2025 13:05 ET (18:05 GMT)

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