Air travel

American Airlines flights canceled: steps to take to avoid travel disaster following FAA reductions

Less the three weeks before Thanksgiving, the FAA will cut air traffic by 10 percent unless the government shutdown ends before November 7.

Carlos Barria

Roddy Cons

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: Nov 6th, 2025 07:13 EST

Travelers across the United States are bracing for major disruption after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to reduce air traffic by 10 percent starting Friday, November 7, unless the federal government shutdown ends before then. The move comes less than three weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Major airports expected to feel the impact

According to ABC News, 40 major airports nationwide are expected to be affected by the reduction, with the three in Washington, D.C., among the most impacted.

Airlines issue reassurances to passengers

American Airlines said it expects “the vast majority of our flights to be unaffected,” though some cancellations and schedule adjustments are inevitable. The airline has not yet confirmed which flights will be impacted.

The carrier also told customers there is no need to take any action at this stage. Those affected will be “proactively notified” by the airline “as early as possible.”

What travelers should do

All travelers, regardless of airline, are urged to regularly check their flight status and plan to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. Passengers whose flights are canceled are encouraged to rebook directly through their airline’s official website or request a refund if they prefer.

Staffing shortages behind the disruption threat

The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, has left air traffic controllers, classified as essential workers, working without pay. Reports suggest an increasingly number of controllers have called in sick to take paid work elsewhere, leading to severe staffing shortages that could soon cripple air travel.

Thanksgiving travel rush in jeopardy

Roughly 80 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, including about six million by air. With the holiday rush approaching, any significant reduction in air traffic could cause widespread delays and cancellations nationwide.