✈️ Regulatory & Safety

FAA Freezes Flight Cuts at 6%: What This Means for Your Thanksgiving Travel

Published: [11/13/2025]

Category: Regulatory & Safety, Flight Operations & Delay Analysis

The Announcement (The Facts):

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a temporary freeze on the federal order requiring airlines to reduce flight schedules at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports.1 The cuts, imposed due to severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown, will remain at a 6% reduction for the time being, preventing a planned increase to 8% or 10% this week.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated the decision was based on “improving controller attendance and stability metrics,” signaling a slight relief of stress on the system as the government works toward a resolution.2 The cuts began last week at 4% and have already led to thousands of cancellations and delays nationwide. The goal of the reduction is explicitly to maintain safety standards amidst controller fatigue.3

Source: U.S. DOT Press Release, FlightAware Data.

The Implication (Our Take for the Consumer):

This freeze is a small breath of fresh air for travelers, especially those planning trips for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, but it does not mean the crisis is over. Here is the consumer-focused “So What?”:

  1. Safety First, Delays Next: The good news is that preventing deeper cuts (like the planned 10%) suggests the government is confident it can maintain a high safety threshold. The bad news is that the 6% cuts remain in place indefinitely. Expect continued high cancellation risk and longer, rolling delays, especially in the late afternoons and evenings at major hub airports (like Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, and New York-area airports) that are heavily dependent on air traffic control staffing.
  2. Regional Flights Remain Vulnerable: Airlines are primarily reducing flights on high-frequency routes and smaller regional routes. If your itinerary includes a connection on a smaller, regional jet (often branded as Delta Connection, United Express, or American Eagle), your flight remains at a much higher risk of cancellation than an international or transcontinental mainline flight.
  3. Check Refund Policies NOW: Since the FAA mandated these cancellations, airlines are required to offer a full cash refund if your flight is canceled, regardless of the fare type (even Basic Economy). However, they are generally not required to cover extra costs like missed hotels or rental cars. Action Item: Check your airline’s specific travel waiver/policy page and have alternative travel or rebooking options prepared.

The Consumer Data Point:

Week-over-Week Cancellation Risk at Major Hubs

Airport (IATA Code) Peak Cancellation Rate (Nov 9-10) Current Estimated Daily Cancel % (6% Cut) Implication
LGA (New York) Approx. 14% Approx. 8-10% Highest risk.
ORD (Chicago) Approx. 11% Approx. 7-8% High risk, major domestic hub.
ATL (Atlanta) Approx. 7% Approx. 4-5% Lower % hit, but massive volume.

Data compiled from FlightAware and Cirium analysis for AirlinesIndustry.com. Rates reflect total daily canceled flights.

Analyst Advice: Travelers should book the earliest flight possible. If disruptions occur, morning flights give you the entire day to rebook, while evening cancellations almost guarantee an overnight stay. The FAA’s continued focus on staffing means the ripple effects of this disruption are likely to persist, even after the shutdown formally ends.

faa freezes flight cuts