UPDATE: United Airlines has just confirmed it will cancel 4% of its flights over the next several days due to ongoing staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) caused by the government shutdown. This decision affects travel plans for thousands of passengers as flight delays continue to spike nationwide.
For the third consecutive day, travelers are facing significant disruptions. Major airlines, including United, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, are adhering to the FAA’s directive to reduce flight schedules starting Friday, October 8, 2025. Already, Delta has canceled around 170 flights for Friday, while American plans to cancel 220 flights daily through the weekend.
United Airlines’ Chief Customer Officer, David Kinzelman, reassured travelers during an interview with ABC News that most customers will remain unaffected by the cancellations. “We are getting those cancellations in today for tomorrow through Sunday, allowing customers to seek alternatives,” he stated. This proactive approach aims to minimize disruption for passengers traveling over the critical weekend period.
Experts recommend downloading airline apps for real-time notifications and rebooking assistance in case of cancellations. Morning flights are noted to be less impacted, providing travelers with a better chance to find alternative arrangements.
Despite these cuts, it’s essential to note that long-haul international flights will largely remain unaffected. For example, flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport on United, or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on American, are expected to operate normally as these are key hubs.
In response to the ongoing situation, all three airlines are waiving flight change and cancellation fees, allowing customers to receive refunds if they choose not to fly. This flexible policy aims to provide passengers with peace of mind amid the uncertainty.
The FAA’s directive has left airlines with only 48 hours to implement these changes, leading to a chaotic travel environment, according to aviation analyst Henry Harvedelt. He warned that travelers should anticipate a fluid situation with frequent updates and potential changes to flight schedules from day to day.
With the Thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaching, Airlines for America projects a record high of 31 million passengers traveling between November 21 and December 1. This means the impact of the current flight reductions is likely to be felt even more acutely as families make plans to gather.
In a now-deleted LinkedIn post, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle advised travelers to secure backup tickets with other carriers to avoid being stranded. He suggested avoiding basic tickets to ensure flexibility and potential refunds.
As the situation evolves, United Airlines plans to provide “rolling updates” to its flight schedules, ensuring travelers are informed well in advance. This ongoing effort is critical in managing the disruptions caused by the FAA’s actions.
Travelers are urged to stay vigilant and keep an eye on their flights as the situation continues to develop. For the latest updates, keep checking official airline communications and news outlets.
