When will I know if my flight is canceled? Here’s what to expect as delays ripple through U.S. airports
The government shutdown has led to the cancellation of more than 9,000 flights across the United States since the Federal Aviation Administration ordered its flights reduced last week. The discounts come just weeks before the peak holiday season for travel. Since October 1, air traffic controllers have missed two full paychecks.
Even as the government resumes operations, the Federal Aviation Administration has given no timetable for when flight reductions will ease after the government shutdown ends. The numerous flight cancellations and delays have Americans wondering how they will travel for Thanksgiving, much less when they should consider starting their trip.
“Since the shutdown began, controllers have been working without pay and staffing levels at air traffic facilities across the country have increased,” the FAA said in an automated statement. “This has led to an increase in reports of pressure on the system from pilots and air traffic controllers.” The full emergency order is here.
To prepare for the worst, here are some factors and tips to keep in mind before planning your next flight.
When will I know if my flight is canceled?
- In the United States, the Department of Transportation states that if the flight is scheduled to depart within 7 days, airlines are required to provide status updates 30 minutes (or sooner) after they become aware of a status change. For flights lasting more than a week, there is no formal legal deadline for notification: the rule is simply “as soon as possible”. No specific time frame or method for providing this information has been provided by law.
- Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) shows that airlines and airports report causes of cancellations in categories such as weather, airline control and national aviation system. However, these causes do not determine a fixed timetable for the announcement of cancellations.
- Travelers are encouraged to visit fly.faa.gov and check with their airlines for real-time updates on staffing, weather or other factors affecting flight schedules, the FAA added.
Risk and factors:
- If you plan to fly later in the day (or after 3 p.m.), you’re more likely to be canceled, with reports revealing that the highest number of cancellations occur between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Cancellation records from U.S. carriers show that many “canceled flights” are defined based on a canceled flight plan filed within an hour before scheduled departure.
What to do next:
- Monitor your flight constantly through your airline’s app and sign up for real-time notifications (for example, American Airlines offers “BeNotified” alerts for daytime status changes).
- Check the airline’s website or flight status page and review the same route from previous days to spot cancellation patterns.
- Favor early departures
- Allow buffer time for connections or hotel stays, and have a backup plan with other flight options or nearby airports.
- If your flight is canceled, you are entitled to a refund or rebooking under federal law.
