The government shutdown has led to more than 9,000 flights across the U.S. being canceled since the Federal Aviation Administration ordered its flight cuts last week. The cuts come just weeks before the peak holiday season for travel. Since October 1, air traffic controllers have missed two full paychecks.
Even if the government resumes, the Federal Aviation Administration has given no timeline on when flight cuts will ease up after the government shutdown ends. Stacked cancellations and flight delays have Americans wondering how they will travel for Thanksgiving, let alone when they should consider beginning their journey.
“Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing,” an automated statement from the FAA said when reached for comment. “This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers.” The full emergency order is here.
To prepare for the worst, here are some factors and tips to keep in mind before scheduling your next flight.
When will I know if my flight is canceled?
In the U.S., the Department of Transportation says if the flight is scheduled to depart within 7 days, airlines are required to provide status updates 30 minutes (or sooner) after the airline becomes aware of a status change. For flights longer than a week away, there’s no formal legal deadline for notification—the rule is simply “as soon as practical.” A specific timeframe or method for providing that information has not been set forth in law.
Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) shows that airlines and airports report cancellation causes in categories such as weather, airline-control, and the national aviation system. However, these causes don’t determine a fixed timeline for when cancellations are announced.
Travelers are encouraged to visit fly.faa.gov and check with their airlines for real-time updates on staffing, weather, or other factors affecting flight schedules, the FAA added.
Risk and factors:
If you’re planning to fly later in the day (or after 3pm) you may be more likely to be canceled, with reports finding that the highest number of cancellations happen between 6 and 7 pm.
Cancellation records for U.S. carriers show that many “cancelled flights” are defined based on a cancelled flight plan filed within an hour of scheduled departure.
What to do next:
Monitor your flight constantly through your airline’s app and sign up for real-time notifications (for instance, American Airlines offers “BeNotified” alerts for day-of status changes).
Check the airline’s website or flight-status page and review the same route on previous days to spot cancellation patterns.
Prioritize earlier departures
Build in buffer time for connections or hotel stays, and have a backup plan with alternate flight options or nearby airports.
If your flight is canceled, you’re entitled to a refund or rebooking under federal law
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