Flying Soon? What to Know About Shutdown Flight Cancellations

President Donald Trump’s plan to reduce air traffic by 10% across the country starting Friday is already impacting Bay Area airports — and a total of 40 major airports nationwide.

Flight cancellations have already begun after the Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday its intention to cut flights across “high-volume” markets to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the government shutdown, and who’ve been increasingly calling off work. The move also comes as the Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Democrats in Congress to end the shutdown.

Ahead of the Veterans Day holiday weekend, dozens of flights out of both San Francisco International and Oakland San Francisco Bay International have already been canceled, according to the airports, and those numbers are likely to grow.

So if you’re planning to fly soon out of the Bay Area, what should you know — especially as the busy Thanksgiving travel period approaches?

Keep reading for what we know right now about flight cancellations during the federal government shutdown.

Jump straight to: 

• How can I find out if my flight is affected?
  
• Should I be worried about Thanksgiving travel at this stage?

Which airports will be affected?

According to a list distributed to airlines by the FAA and seen by the Associated Press, 40 of the busiest airports around the U.S. would be subject to flight cancellations.

In the Bay Area, this would include San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK).

The other California airports affected would be:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Ontario International Airport (ONT)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)

Which kinds of flights will be canceled?

According to an anonymous source who spoke to ABC News, only domestic flights will be subject to cancellations, and international routes will be unaffected.

Airlines may handle the reduction in flights differently. On Wednesday, United CEO Scott Kirby confirmed the airline would maintain international flights, as well as “hub-to-hub” routes between high-volume major airports, and focus the cuts on smaller regional routes that use smaller planes like 737s.

“Delta expects to operate the vast majority of our flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service, and will work to minimize customer impact while keeping safety our top priority,” according to a statement by the airline.

How can I find out if my flight is affected?

Passengers should start to be notified about cancellations on Thursday. Airlines said they would try to minimize the impact on customers, some of whom will see weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice.

SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel said that airlines would be handling the administration’s order to reduce flight traffic individually, and suggested passengers reach out directly to their airlines for information.

In its statement, Delta said the airline would provide additional flexibility for travelers to cancel or refund their flights when flying through impacted airports.

Make sure you’re signed up for email and text alerts from your airline if you’re traveling soon, so you can stay up-to-date with any cancellations — and be sure to check your flight status long before you leave for the airport.

You can also use tools like FlightAware.com to track cancelations, as well as the FAA’s National Airspace System Status site which allows passengers to see “active airport events” that might affect their flight — including staffing issues and weather.

What should I do if my flight is canceled?

If you are already at the airport, it is time to find another flight.

Airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge. You can ask to be booked on another airline, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight.

This process is, unfortunately, often hit or miss — but you might consider also asking if there are any alternative flight options at different, nearby airports.

Will I be refunded or get compensation?

If your flight is canceled and 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 nonrefundable ticket.

United, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have said they will offer refunds to passengers who opt not to fly — even if they purchased tickets that aren’t normally refundable.

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 or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.

Even if my flight isn’t canceled, what should I know about flying right now?

Over the last month, the government shutdown has caused delays due to staffing issues at airports across the country.

Transportation Security Administration staff are federal workers — except at SFO, where they’re private contractors working for TSA, who are still being paid during the shutdown — so you should plan for potentially long security lines and give yourself extra time to make your flight, as a rule.

Read our guide on how to check for staffing-related flight delays during the shutdown.

How long could this go on? Should I be worried about Thanksgiving travel?

Aviation and travel experts told NPR that travelers can expect more delays and cancellations — as well as longer TSA lines — if the shutdown does not end before Thanksgiving.

“During one of the busiest times of the year, an awful lot of folks are gonna get stranded,” said William J. McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at anti-monopoly group the American Economic Liberties Project.

The days around Thanksgiving are some of the busiest times to travel, with the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2024 setting a record of nearly 3.09 million passengers screened by TSA.

Katy Nastro, a representative of flight deals app Going, told NPR that anyone who hasn’t yet purchased their Thanksgiving flights should choose tickets that offer flight credits.

Travelers should also consider opting for nonstop flights and early departures to minimize possible disruption, she said.

Has something like this ever happened before?

“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday. “We’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”

Until this week, the 2018–19 government shutdown was the longest in history. Disruptions to air travel have been widely credited as the impetus to finally end that shutdown, with Trump backing a stopgap spending bill to end that shutdown after air traffic controllers coordinated a sickout that paused travel through LaGuardia Airport in New York and impacted several major airports.

This story contains reporting from KQED’s Katie DeBenedetti and The Associated Press.

Nov. 7: A previous version of this story said more than 700 flights were canceled at the San Francisco and Oakland airports Friday. That figure represents the total number of cancellations across the country. So far on Friday, San Francisco and Oakland have seen about 50 canceled flights.