Major US airlines are canceling hundreds of flights amid the ongoing government shutdown, as FAA cuts and staffing shortages strain air traffic operations.
Several major U.S. airlines announced sweeping flight reductions on Sunday November 9, 2025, as the ongoing government shutdown continues to disrupt aviation operations nationwide. Thousands of flights were canceled within, into, or out of the United States, according to flight tracking platform FlightAware.
The cancellations follow a 4% cut to scheduled flights mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), compounded by critical air traffic control staffing shortages. The result has been widespread delays and mounting frustration for passengers at airports across the country.
Southwest Airlines said its flight schedule reductions will extend through Tuesday, November 11, 2025, affecting 34 of the 117 airports it serves. The carrier confirmed that roughly 140 flights were removed from Monday’s schedule, with an additional 115 flights canceled for Tuesday.
Delta Airlines reported more than 450 flight cancellations on Sunday, noting that all FAA-directed cancellations planned through Tuesday, have been completed. However, the airline warned that more disruptions are likely as operational challenges persist.
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United Airlines also confirmed flight reductions through Tuesday, with over 150 cancellations on Sunday and nearly 200 flights removed from Monday’s schedule. A United spokesperson told CNN that more than 250 additional cancellations are expected on Tuesday as the airline adjusts to ongoing FAA restrictions.
American Airlines, meanwhile, announced plans to scale back operations but did not specify how many flights would be affected. In a statement released Saturday, the airline urged Washington leaders to “reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown,” emphasizing the growing toll on airlines, workers, and travelers alike.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Sunday that the situation could worsen dramatically in the days ahead if the shutdown continues. “Air travel will be reduced to a trickle ahead of Thanksgiving as FAA-mandated flight reductions continue,” he said.
The continuing shutdown has strained multiple sectors of the aviation system, including airport security, maintenance services, and flight scheduling. Industry analysts have warned that the disruptions could cost airlines hundreds of millions of dollars if normal operations are not restored soon.
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching—a peak travel period for millions of Americans—airlines and federal officials face increasing pressure to stabilize the system. For now, passengers are being urged to monitor flight updates closely and prepare for delays as the shutdown’s ripple effects continue to spread through the skies.
