A United Airlines flight taking off from Boston Logan International Airport in August 2025.

By Chris Spiker From Daily Voice

Airlines began canceling hundreds of flights after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered reductions as the longest federal government shutdown in US history strains air traffic control staffing.

According to FlightAware, at least 834 US-based flights were canceled as of 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7. That's a dramatic increase from the 202 flights that were scrapped on Thursday, Nov. 6.

The hubs most affected included Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Phoenix. Around 1,360 US-based flights were also delayed as airports struggle with fewer air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents, who haven't received a paycheck since Friday, Oct. 3.

The cancellations come one day after the FAA ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their daily schedules at 40 major airports between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The emergency order directs carriers to phase in the cuts gradually, starting with 4% reductions on November 7.

The cuts will grow to 6% by Tuesday, Nov. 11, 8% by Thursday, Nov. 13, and 10% by Friday, Nov. 14.

"The FAA's initial review of data indicates the system is stressed," the agency's order read. "With continued delays and unpredictable staffing shortages, which are driving fatigue, risk is further increasing, and the FAA is concerned with the system's ability to maintain the current volume of operations."

Another 516 flights were already canceled for Saturday, Nov. 8, and 226 for Sunday, Nov. 9, according to FlightAware data.

The New York Times reported that around 3% of all US departures were canceled by 6 a.m. on November 7, with roughly 25,400 flights scheduled nationwide. The worst disruptions hit shuttle routes in the Northeast, flights across Florida, and trips between Dallas and smaller regional centers.

Airlines said hub-to-hub and long-haul international flights will largely continue as planned, while most reductions are expected to focus on regional routes serving smaller cities. Many carriers are waiving change fees and offering rebooking options for affected passengers.

As of 9:30 a.m., American Airlines canceled 221 flights, while United and Delta scrapped 184 and 173, according to aviation data firm Cirium.

"What we've done today is we tried to minimize the impact on all of our customers — there's only 220 flights out of 6,200 flights, and we've done it in a way that really impacts our smaller aircraft," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "This level of cancellation is going to grow over time, and that's something that is going to be problematic."

The FAA’s order specifically applies to 40 "High Impact Airports," including several in the Northeast:

  • Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  • Teterboro Airport (TEB)
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Now in its 38th day, the government shutdown began on Wednesday, Oct. 1, after Congress failed to pass a stopgap bill. The shutdown has already disrupted many federal programs and paychecks for government workers.

Along with air travel disruptions, around 42 million Americans who rely on crucial food aid face uncertainty around November benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay full SNAP benefits, but ABC News reported that Justice Department lawyers have appealed the ruling.

Rental car company Hertz has seen a more than 20% spike in one-way reservations as travelers searched for alternatives, CNBC reported.