Flights are delayed and canceled due to the government shutdown. Here’s what travelers can do

It’s not a great week for flying. The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday canceled hundreds of planned flights at 40 high-traffic U.S. airports due to a record government shutdown affecting air traffic controllers. The monitors work without pay and were Really short Even before the disruption began on October 1st. The 4% flight reduction began on Friday, will rise to 5% on Saturday, then rise to 10% next week.

According to CNNAirlines canceled more than 800 flights as of 4:30 a.m. EST on Friday, four times the number of flights canceled the day before.

NBC News reports that several airports across the country have been issued Recruitment triggersWhich indicates that they lack sufficient staff to run their usual schedules.

There is no set end time for the flight reduction, which may extend beyond those 40 airports. The big holiday travel season looms in the background.

An FAA representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier in the week, airline employees had already begun preparing for any potential flight disruptions. On Wednesday morning, CNET senior editor Corinne Reichert was in her seat on a Southwest Airlines plane, preparing for an in-state flight in California. While on the runway, the pilot informed passengers that it was unclear whether the closure would affect that day’s flights and advised them: “Keep your fingers crossed.”

Read below to find out what to know about traveling amid the government shutdown. For other travel tips, check out our website Smart travel checklistguidelines on Travel essentials To pack and how Avoid TSA checkpoint headaches.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add CNET As Google’s preferred source.

Is my airport affected?

Almost certainly. These are the 40 airports currently affected, listed alphabetically by three-letter airport code.

Anchorage International (ANC)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Boston Logan International (BOS)
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
Dallas Love (DAL)
Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
Denver International (DEN)
Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne District (DTW)
Newark Liberty International (EWR)
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
honolulu review (hnn)
Houston Hobbyists (HOU)
Washington Dulles International (IAD)
George Bush Houston InterContinental Hotel (IAH)
Indianapolis International (IND)
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
New York LaGuardia (LGA)
Orlando International (MCO)
Chicago Midway (MDW)
Memphis International (MEM)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Minneapolis/Saint Paul International (MSP)
Auckland International (OAK)
Ontario International (ONT)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Portland International (PDX)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Louisville International Airport (SDF)
Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Salt Lake City International (SLC)
Teterboro (TEB)
Tampa International (TPA)

When will the delay end?

Flight discounts start with flights on Friday. There’s no word on how long these measures will last, but one troubling sign is that there is no end in sight for Congress to act to end the government shutdown.

Transport Minister Sean Duffy He told CNBC That he could “shut down the entire airspace” if the legislative deadlock continues.

He also said that even if the government shutdown ends, flights will not return to normal immediately, as it will take time to restore staffing levels and schedules.

What should I do before I go to the airport?

Download relevant applications

Download any airline or airport-related apps on your phone – they can send you information about delays and cancellations.

Print or download your boarding pass at home

Even if your flight seems unaffected, be prepared for long security and ticketing lines, as well as potential changes to your flight schedule. If possible, print or download your boarding pass in advance to save time.

Save time in the security line

Check to see if your airport has a website that displays the shortest security lines and their corresponding wait times. If you have TSA PreCheck or another express security service, now is a good time to use it. When you book a flight, be sure to enter your TSA PreCheck number, otherwise you may not see the important logo appear on your boarding pass.

Many airports – incl Seatac, Denver, MSP, JFK, Indolence, Phoenix , and George Bush Intercontinental Hotel in Houston – Offering free software that allows you to reserve a specific time in the security corridor and direct you directly to the front.

Stay on top of delays

Bookmark it on Status of the National Airspace System Location and check to see if there are weather or other delays at the airport you are using.

What if my flight is cancelled?

Don’t waste your time in line

Check with your airline to see if they can reschedule your flight or refund your payment. You may have to stand in a long queue at the service desk, but while you are in line, you can try to rebook online or call the airline’s support number. Some travelers use social media to message their airlines, and if these accounts are monitored, you’re more likely to get a response that way. We love this smart suggestion From a TV show: Find your airline’s international support number and call it, as it may be less busy. (At least until word of this trick leaks out.)

Treat employees with respect

When you finally reach an airline employee for help with your rebooking, be patient. It’s not their fault, and they’ll be more likely to help you if you understand.

Be flexible

You’ll have better luck if you’re flexible with times and dates, and may ask to rebook on a partner airline if there’s room available.

Can you get there another way?

You can also consider canceling your trip and choose to drive or use another mode of transportation if that suits your circumstances, but if your sister’s wedding is tomorrow, you may not have a choice.

What do the airlines say?

Delta Airlines said It said in a statement that it would “minimize customer impact” and allow passengers “additional flexibility” when it comes to changing or canceling flights without penalty. Details about fee exemption here.

American Airlines b Similar statement Regarding waiver of sanctions

“To provide additional flexibility during the affected travel period, customers whose flights were canceled for any reason or who chose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund without any penalty,” American Airlines said.

A United Airlines statementdirected to employees, followed suit. “Any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to travel – even if their trip is not affected,” the statement said. “This includes non-refundable tickets and customers with basic economy tickets.”

Southwest has Similar statement It states, “All Southwest customers who have their flights booked through Wednesday, November 12, may modify their travel plans at no cost, or receive a refund if they choose not to travel, regardless of whether their flight is affected.”

If you are on another airline, it is best to check the website for a similar notice. Note that airlines are not required to provide hotel accommodation or cover other expenses resulting from travel delays.