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Travelers wait for their flights at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Federal Aviation Administration will cut air traffic by 10% in 40 major markets starting Friday to ease mounting safety concerns as unpaid air traffic controllers call out during the month-long government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history.
For travelers, that means checking flight status before heading to the airport and knowing your rights if a delay or cancellation upends your plans.
RELATED: FAA reducing air traffic by 10% amid ongoing government shutdown
FILE – Cancelled flights are seen on a screen at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida on October 30, 2025. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP via Getty Images)
Big picture view:
Yes, flights are getting delayed and some even canceled as staffing shortages pile up during the government shutdown.
The FAA is confronting staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers, who are working unpaid, with some calling out of work during the shutdown, resulting in delays across the country.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is not going to wait for a problem to act, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and "we can’t ignore it."
Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction.
Why you should care:
Air travel is poised to become more significantly impacted as workers go without a paycheck, meaning a flight delay or cancellation could be in your future if you’re set to travel soon.
The good news right now is that this is not a peak travel time, so travelers stand better odds of rebooking if their flight is canceled. But the busy holiday travel season is quickly approaching.
If considering other travel options, such as train or car or bus, isn’t feasible for your upcoming trip, here’s what to know if that trip gets delayed or canceled:
Big picture view:
Check your airline’s app or flight website before you head to the airport. This FAA site can also be checked to see if there are widespread delays at your airport.
No compensation:
U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a severe delay is the airline’s fault.
You’ll be rebooked :
The first step if your flight was canceled is to find another flight. Airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge.
Get in line to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. You could also try reaching out to the airline on social media.
Airlines are not required to put you on another carrier’s flight.
You’re owed a refund :
If you no longer want to take the trip, or have found another way of getting to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.
You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.
It’s advised to get your payment returned to you and not settle for a voucher that may expire in a year or less.
No compensation:
U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation is the airline’s fault.
Dig deeper:
Each airline is different. You can compare the commitments that each carrier makes for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are delayed or canceled on this U.S. Department of Transportation site here.
The Source: Megan Ziegler contributed to this report. Information in this article was taken from the Department of Transportation and previous FOX Television Station reporting. Background information was taken from The Associated Press. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
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