Navigating the FAA Flight Reductions: What Travelers Need to Know 

Starting Friday, November 7, 2025 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reduce flight capacity by 10% across roughly 40 major U.S. airports, citing critical staffing shortages among unpaid air-traffic controllers due to the government shutdown. 

The move, designed to keep airspace operations stable while resources are constrained, is expected to affect 3,500 – 4,000 flights daily. For travelers, this marks the most widespread operational disruption since the post-pandemic recovery years. 

Here’s what you should know. 

The Scope of the Reductions 

The FAA has not released the full list of affected airports, but early reports indicate the following hubs are included: 

  • Atlanta (ATL)
  • Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW)
  • New York–area airports — JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR)
  • Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH/HOU)
  • Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), Seattle (SEA), Phoenix (PHX), Denver (DEN), and several secondary markets including Memphis, Louisville, Portland, Tampa, and Anchorage. 

These represent the core of the U.S. commercial network which means even travelers not passing through these airports may experience cascading delays. 

 

How Airlines Are Responding 

The major carriers are moving quickly to minimize fallout, but each is handling the situation differently: 

  • United Airlines — Offering full refunds, including on non-refundable and Basic Economy fares, for anyone choosing not to travel during the affected period.
  • Delta Air Lines — Allowing free changes, cancellations, or refunds, even for Basic Economy tickets, while prioritizing international operations.
  • American Airlines — Implementing flexible rebooking and waiving change fees for affected flights within the first wave of reductions.
  • Southwest Airlines — Offering no-penalty rebookings and same-day standby for travelers through impacted airports. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has reinforced passengers’ rights: if your flight is canceled or significantly changed (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international), you are entitled to a full refund even for non-refundable tickets. 

 

What This Means for Business Travelers 

For business travelers, this means: 

  • Fewer available seats on peak-hour and regional routes
  • Longer delays at congested hubs
  • Reduced redundancy — if your flight is canceled, alternatives will book fast 

If you’re traveling in the next 10 – 14 days, expect disruptions even if your origin or destination isn’t on the list. 

 

How to Stay Ahead of the Disruption 

  1. Check your flight status frequently.  Airlines are updating schedules daily as the FAA’s capacity limits take effect.
  2. Know your refund rights. If your flight is canceled or delayed significantly, request a refund rather than a credit. 

 

For Corporate Traveler Customers 

At Corporate Traveler, the support and safety of our customers remains paramount. We are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience, even amid these unprecedented circumstances.  

Should your travel plans be directly impacted, please contact your travel manager immediately. We are here to support you and will work quickly to rebook flights and minimize disruption to your plans.