The Federal government shutdown due to the delay in passing the new fiscal year budget continues to wreak havoc on the US aviation industry and passengers, with disruptions intensifying. The eve of Thanksgiving saw tens of thousands of flights being canceled, causing numerous travelers’ plans to be delayed and adding significant difficulties and anxieties to air travel.
One passenger traveling from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday shared that their family’s journey on United Airlines Flight 2641 on Saturday was delayed by 4 hours. Despite the inconvenience, the passenger expressed gratitude for the pilot’s relentless efforts to ensure their safe arrival at their destination. They waited nearly 5 hours in the cabin before the plane finally took off.
Another traveler heading to Los Angeles recounted having their flight canceled, rebooking on another flight only to have it canceled again, and finally reaching Los Angeles in the early hours of the morning at 1 am due to further delays.
Despite facing numerous challenges on their journey back home, some travelers remain determined to reunite with their families. According to CBS, a mother whose flight was canceled twice and spent a grueling 12 hours stranded at the airport due to missing her daughter was still determined to rush back home.
FlightAware data shows that from Friday to Sunday (until the Western US evening of 6:00 PM), there were a total of 7,017, 7,540, and 9,695 domestic and international flight delays respectively, with 1,025, 1,566, and 3,211 flights being canceled. An additional 879 and 649 flights are expected to be canceled on Monday and Tuesday.
In California, San Diego International Airport had the highest number of canceled flights on Sunday with 114 cancellations, followed by 85 at LAX and 47 at San Francisco International Airport. Over the weekend, a total of 194 flights were canceled at LAX.
The airlines with the most canceled flights on Sunday were Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, with 565, 324, and 309 cancellations respectively. Southwest Airlines had the highest number of delays at 1,812 flights (42%), followed by Delta Air Lines with 1,210 flights (34%), and United Airlines with 1,155 flights (33%).
For Chinese airlines flying to and from the US, it is estimated that Huaxia Airlines, Air China, Chengdu Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines will collectively cancel 33 flights on Monday. There were 167 canceled flights (including 4 from Hong Kong) on Sunday and 83 cancellations on Saturday.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), plans to continue canceling flights will persist into the following week. Flight volume is expected to decrease by 6% on Tuesday (11th), by 8% on Thursday (13th), and by 10% on Saturday (14th) if the government shutdown continues, with flight reductions possibly reaching 20%.
The widespread delays and cancellations in US flights are attributable to the significant differences between the two parties in Congress over the 2026 fiscal year budget, resulting in the federal government shutdown. Many air traffic controllers have gone unpaid for over a month, leading to increased shortages as many take sick leave. Controllers working without pay have been required to work six days a week, prompting the Department of Transportation and FAA to make extensive flight reductions for safety considerations.
The main point of contention between the two parties revolves around the Affordable Care Act implemented during former President Obama’s tenure. According to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives responsible for revenue and trade, the key differences lie in whether taxpayer funds of up to $200 billion should continue to be used to provide health care subsidies for undocumented immigrants. To date, there are no signs of reconciliation between the two sides.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy anticipates a significant decrease in Thanksgiving travel for Americans, with many unable to celebrate the holiday with their families. He noted that even after the government reopens, it will take some time for all air traffic controllers to return to their positions.
Under the FAA’s directive to reduce flights, 40 airports in the US are affected, including five in California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, and Ontario.