Shutdown Over, US Flight Cuts Stay: What Travellers Face Next
The 43-day shutdown is over, but the FAA's flight limits at 40 airports stay in place. More than 8,000 flights were cancelled — what travellers face next.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Andrew Milligan sumo
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 — The record 43-day shutdown ended on Wednesday when the president signed the funding bill, but the flight limits that snarled American air travel remain in force, and travellers should expect cancellations for days, the Federal Aviation Administration has said.
Under the emergency order, airlines must cut domestic flights at 40 of the busiest airports. Cuts began at 4 percent on Nov. 7 and rose to 6 percent by Nov. 11. Deeper cuts were due only if the shutdown continued; the agency has not yet set a date to lift the limits.
Key Takeaways
- The 43-day shutdown ended on Nov. 12 after the House passed the funding bill 222-209.
- Flight limits at 40 airports stay at 6 percent until staffing stabilises.
- More than 8,000 flights were cancelled, and business jets were barred from 12 airports.
- The disruption lands two weeks before Thanksgiving.
Which 40 US Airports Face FAA Flight Cuts and How Long Will They Last
Announced on Nov. 5 by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, it covers domestic flights at 40 airports, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.; international flights are exempt. Airlines choose which flights to cancel; carriers above their limit face a $75,000 fine per extra flight.
The airports include Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Charlotte, New York, Chicago, Washington, Houston, Miami, San Francisco and Orlando. About 13,000 controllers and 50,000 screeners worked unpaid since Oct. 1, and the agency was already about 3,500 controllers short. Duffy has said the limits will stay until staffing stabilises.
| Stage | Date | Cut level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order takes effect | Nov. 7 | 4% | In force |
| First step-up | Nov. 11 | 6% | In force |
| Planned step-up | Nov. 13 | 8% | Now in doubt |
| Full level | Nov. 14 | 10% | Now in doubt; 1,800 flights, 268,000 seats a day (Cirium) |
How Many Flights Were Cancelled Under the FAA Flight Cuts
Cancellations passed 8,000 on Monday, when airlines scrapped over 2,200 flights. One in 10 flights was scratched on Sunday — per Cirium, the fourth worst day in almost two years. Nov. 9 was the peak, with more than 2,900 flights cut.
The agency also barred business jets and many private flights from a dozen airports already under commercial limits. Officials have warned travellers to expect cancellations for days. The funding deal passed the Senate 60-40 and the House 222-209; see the Senate funding bill that ended the record shutdown.
What Travellers Should Do if Their Flight Is Cancelled
Check your flight's status on the airline's app, and check the Federal Aviation Administration's status page for ground delays. If an airline cancels a flight, it must refund the fare if you choose not to travel. It need not cover food or hotels unless the disruption is within its control, so ask about rebooking.
The disruption lands just before Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26. Last year, AAA counted a record 81.8 million Thanksgiving travellers, and the Transportation Security Administration screened a record 3.13 million that Sunday. American Airlines has also cut eight international routes for 2027 (American Airlines' 2027 route cuts), and United Airlines has barred unauthorised AI agents from booking flights (United's AI booking ban).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are US flights back to normal now that the government shutdown is over?
No. The limits at 40 airports remain in force at 6 percent until staffing stabilises, Duffy has said. Cancellations will continue for days.
Which airports are affected by the FAA flight cuts?
The order covers 40 of the busiest airports, including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles and Charlotte, plus New York, Chicago and Washington. Domestic flights between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. are covered; international flights are exempt.
Will I get a refund if my flight is cancelled because of the FAA order?
Yes. A cancelled flight means a refund if you choose not to travel. Food and hotel costs are not covered unless the disruption is within its control, so ask about rebooking.
Will the FAA flight cuts affect Thanksgiving travel in 2026?
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 26, and the limits are still in force two weeks out. Last year, AAA counted a record 81.8 million Thanksgiving travellers, and the Transportation Security Administration screened a record 3.13 million that Sunday.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not said when it will lift the order. The next test is Thanksgiving travel, starting the week of Nov. 23, and staffing figures will show if the system is recovering.
