Travel chaos gripped the United States on Friday as more than 1,200 flights were cancelled due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, just weeks before the busy Thanksgiving holiday rush. Airlines were forced to scale back their schedules to ease pressure on air traffic controllers who continue to work without pay. American Airlines cancelled around 220 flights, Delta Air Lines cut roughly 170, and Southwest Airlines removed about 100 flights from their timetables.
Major hubs such as Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles were among the most affected. According to AFP analysis, airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, and Phoenix Sky Harbor experienced the highest number of disruptions. The flight reductions are part of a gradual plan that started with a 4% cut this week, which could rise to 10% if lawmakers fail to reach a funding agreement. While 94% of flights are still departing on time, long queues and extended delays are being reported across several airports.
Federal employees, including essential airport staff such as TSA agents and air traffic controllers, are either furloughed or working without pay, resulting in slower operations and mounting passenger frustration. Holiday travelers and families planning early Thanksgiving trips are facing the worst of the delays. At LaGuardia Airport in New York, passengers expressed concern and frustration over the situation. Retiree Werner Buchi warned that the chaos could worsen as Thanksgiving approaches, while another traveler, Rhonda from Maine, said the shutdown is directly affecting holiday plans for many families.
Average delays have exceeded two hours at Boston and Newark airports, while Chicago O’Hare and Washington Reagan National are reporting more than one-hour delays. According to Cirium data, around 3% of all U.S. flights have been cancelled so far, though most continue to operate on schedule. With federal employees critical to airport operations hit hard by the six-week-long shutdown, passengers are being advised to check flight statuses regularly, arrive early, and brace for ongoing disruptions if the deadlock continues.
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