Delta and United, two of the largest airlines in the United States, announced on Thursday that they are already canceling flights scheduled for this weekend due to the Federal Aviation Administration’s flight reductions that will go into effect on Friday due to the government shutdown.
Delta said that around 170 flights would be canceled on Friday, mostly affecting regional flights, CNN reported.
“Delta is complying with a directive from the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports beginning Friday, Nov 7,” the airline said, adding, “These flight reductions are in response to air traffic control staffing shortages stemming from the ongoing government shutdown and are intended to maintain safety across the national airspace system.”
United, meanwhile, is set to cancel 4% of its flights over the weekend, which will add up to just under 200 flights daily, USA Today reported. United and Delta aren’t the only airlines affected by the flight reductions, as over 500 flights from all airlines have already been canceled this weekend, the Associated Press reported.
The White House’s Rapid Response X account responded to the news of the flight cancellations, writing, “Thank A Democrat.”
“@united is now cancelling hundreds of flights originally scheduled for tomorrow due to the Democrat Shutdown,” the White House added. “This could’ve all been avoided if Democrats simply did their jobs. Instead, they chose chaos.”
.@united is now cancelling hundreds of flights originally scheduled for tomorrow due to the Democrat Shutdown.
This could’ve all been avoided if Democrats simply did their jobs. Instead, they chose chaos. pic.twitter.com/TpJqlXhxJn
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 6, 2025
The government shutdown entered its 37th day on Thursday, with no sign of a deal on a spending bill coming anytime soon as Democratic senators continue to hold out.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that the FAA would be slashing air traffic by 10% at 40 of the busiest airports beginning on Friday. The drastic move is to ensure that air travel remains safe as the government faces an air traffic controller shortage. Due to the government shutdown, air traffic controllers have gone weeks without pay, leading some to call in sick and seek work elsewhere.
The reduction in air traffic comes just weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, which is typically the busiest travel weekend of the year in the United States. Here’s the complete list of airports that are expected to be affected by the flight reduction compiled in alphabetical order:
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)