What a Government Shutdown Does to Flights

A government shutdown does cause flight delays, but not in the way most people think. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) keeps running during a shutdown because it is funded separately from the rest of the government. Air traffic controllers stay at work, planes keep taking off and landing, and the basic system does not stop.

What does stop is everything else. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents who screen passengers work without pay. Maintenance crews at airports may not show up. Baggage handlers and other support staff can be furloughed. The result is slower security lines, fewer staff to handle problems, and delays that ripple through the system — not because flights cannot fly, but because the people and systems that support them are understaffed or working without resources.

The length and severity of delays depend on how long the shutdown lasts and how many workers decide not to show up despite not being paid. A shutdown lasting a few days may cause minor slowdowns. One lasting weeks can create significant backups.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA and air traffic control continue operating during a shutdown, so planes can still fly.
  • TSA agents, baggage handlers, and airport maintenance staff work without pay or are sent home, which slows down every step of travel.
  • Security lines typically grow longer because fewer screeners are working, and some may not show up at all.
  • Delays worsen the longer a shutdown lasts, as worker absences increase and maintenance backlogs grow.
  • You can check the FAA website and your airline's app for real-time delay information during a shutdown.

Which Airport Workers Are Affected

TSA screeners are the most visible impact. These are federal employees who must work without pay during a shutdown. Some show up anyway out of commitment to the job. Others call in sick or stop coming, which means fewer security lanes open and lines grow. A major airport might normally run 15 security lanes during peak hours; during a shutdown with low staffing, that might drop to 8 or 10.

Airport maintenance and custodial staff are often furloughed entirely, meaning bathrooms may not be cleaned, equipment may not be serviced, and minor repairs do not happen. Baggage handlers and ground crews at some airports are federal employees and face the same situation as TSA — work without pay or stay home. At other airports, these roles are handled by contractors who may or may not continue working depending on their contract terms.

Airline staff — pilots, flight attendants, gate agents — are not federal employees and continue working normally. The delays you experience are caused by the gaps around them, not by the airlines themselves.

How Long Delays Typically Last During a Shutdown

The first few days of a shutdown usually bring modest delays of 15 to 30 minutes on average, concentrated at major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles. These airports handle the most passengers and depend on the most federal staff.

By the end of the first week, delays often grow to 30 to 60 minutes as more workers stop showing up. By the second or third week, some flights may be cancelled outright because there are not enough staff to operate them safely. Regional airports with smaller operations may see less impact than major hubs.

Delays end quickly once the shutdown ends and workers return to normal staffing. However, it can take a day or two for the system to clear the backlog of delayed passengers and aircraft.

What Information to Check Before You Travel

The FAA publishes real-time delay information on its website at faa.gov. You can search by airport code and see current delays, their causes, and expected duration. This information updates every few minutes during the day.

Your airline's app or website also shows delays specific to your flight. Call the airline directly if you are unsure — they can tell you whether your flight is delayed and by how much, and whether they are offering rebooking options.

The TSA website (tsa.gov) publishes wait times at major airports, updated throughout the day. If you are flying during a shutdown, check this before you leave for the airport so you know how much extra time to allow.

Steps to Take If Your Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled

If your flight is delayed more than a few hours, contact your airline when ready. Ask whether they can rebook you on another flight the same day, even on a different airline. During a shutdown, airlines often have agreements to move passengers to competitors' flights when delays are caused by federal staffing issues rather than airline problems.

If you are cancelled, you have the right to a refund or rebooking. The airline must offer you the next available flight to your destination, even if it is days away. If you choose a refund instead, the airline must process it within a set timeframe (usually 7 to 10 business days for credit card purchases).

Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for meals or hotels you had to buy because of the delay. If the delay was caused by the shutdown and lasted more than a certain number of hours, you may be able to document this for your own records, though the U.S. government does not currently require airlines to pay compensation for delays caused by government shutdowns.

How to Plan Travel During a Known Shutdown

If you know a shutdown is happening or likely to happen, book flights during off-peak hours — early morning or late evening — when airports are less crowded and delays have more room to absorb without cascading. Avoid connecting flights if possible; a delay in one city can cause you to miss a connection.

Build in extra time at the airport. During a shutdown, add at least 45 minutes to your normal arrival time for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international flights, because security lines will be longer.

Consider flying out of a smaller regional airport if you have the option. Major hubs see the worst delays because they have the most federal staff and the most passengers. A flight from a smaller airport may be less affected.

If your trip is flexible, consider postponing it until after the shutdown ends. This is the most reliable way to avoid delays, though it is not always possible.

What Happens to Frequent Flyer Miles and Tickets

If your flight is cancelled due to a shutdown, your ticket remains valid. You can use it to rebook on another flight to the same destination at no additional cost, or you can request a refund. The airline cannot force you to accept a credit toward future travel.

Frequent flyer miles do not expire because of a shutdown. If you had a booking using miles and it was cancelled, the miles are returned to your account and you can rebook whenever you choose.

If you paid for a ticket with a credit card and received a refund, the credit card company processes the refund back to your card. This can take 7 to 10 business days to appear, depending on your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all airports experience the same delays during a shutdown?

No. Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles see the worst delays because they have the most passengers and the most federal staff. Smaller regional airports may see little to no impact. The severity also depends on how many TSA agents and ground crew show up to work despite not being paid.

Can I get money back if my flight is delayed by a shutdown?

The U.S. government does not currently require airlines to pay compensation for delays caused by government shutdowns. However, if your flight is cancelled, you can request a full refund of your ticket price. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card within 7 to 10 business days.

Will my flight be cancelled if there is a shutdown?

Most flights continue during a shutdown, though many are delayed. Cancellations are less common unless the shutdown lasts several weeks and worker absences become severe. Check your airline's website or call them directly to find out the status of your specific flight.

How much earlier should I arrive at the airport during a shutdown?

Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes earlier than normal for domestic flights and 90 minutes earlier for international flights. Security lines are typically longer because fewer TSA agents are working, and some may not show up at all.

What if I need to change my flight during a shutdown?

Contact your airline directly. Most airlines waive change fees during shutdowns and will rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. You can also request a refund if you prefer not to travel. Processing times for refunds are usually 7 to 10 business days.