Nov 6, 2025
As the government shutdown continues, travelers are starting to worry if the crisis will end before Thanksgiving.
Upwards of thousands of flights have been delayed or cancelled daily since Oct. 1, largely attributed to the absenteeism of air traffic controllers, who are working without pay during the shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned things could get worse before they get better.
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“If the government doesn’t open in the next week or two, we’ll look back as these were the good days, not the bad days,” he told ABC News on Nov. 2 (1).
Here’s what could be in store for Americans if Democrats and Republicans don’t find common ground before the busiest travel season of the year.
How bad could it get?
Since the start of the shutdown, Duffy has repeatedly acknowledged that passenger safety is the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) top priority amid air traffic controller staffing shortages, despite any delays and cancellations that may result. Vice President JD Vance told reporters that Thanksgiving travel “could be a disaster” if the government stalemate persists into late November.
The messaging from the administration is clear: expect deliberate slowdowns and delays as holiday demand builds.
“We’ve already seen ground stops at LAX, Newark and Houston in the first month [of the shutdown]. Now imagine Thanksgiving week when airports like Atlanta, Dallas and Denver are running at maximum capacity,” Evan Oshan, a Seattle-based aviation attorney, told Moneywise. “One controller shortage at a major hub creates a cascading effect across the entire national airspace system.”
Ryan Jones, CEO of Flighty, an app to track flight delays, agrees.
“If an [air traffic control] tower typically needs four controllers but now they only have two, they can’t keep landing the same number of planes safely,” he told Moneywise. “That means cancellations or huge delays that will push landings into off hours.”
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Consumers may also suffer beyond the price of plane tickets. Finding last-minute lodging in the case of a rescheduled flight, renting a car as an alternate means of reaching your destination or having to miss a day of work due to disruptions can all be costly in the holiday season.
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What travelers can do to prepare
Dealing with uncertainty is never pleasant, but with enough preparation, you can insulate yourself from a Thanksgiving travel disaster. For example, booking nonstop flights can ensure you don’t get stuck at any connecting locations on your journey. The more stops on your trip, the more chances there are of one flight being delayed or cancelled.
Consider paying for fares and hotels you can change on the fly. It might cost extra up front, but it could be a big savings if you need to reschedule. Also keep track of airline and airport alerts the day before and day of travel. If you get stuck, ask about interline rebooking and keep receipts for reasonable expenses. These steps matter more while facilities are short staffed and safety slows the system.
Don’t forget about travel insurance. Policies often cover common carrier delays and trip interruption, which means if the airline cancels or delays your flight, you will be reimbursed. Long lines at airport security may not be covered, however, because they are considered routine travel risks.
When shopping for insurance, read the fine print. Some policies may include restrictions like how much of your trip must be insured and how much notice must be given before a cancellation.
By building flexibility into your plans, you can roll with delays and cancellations. Do not let government dysfunction steal your holiday. With a little planning you can still make it home to see friends and family.
Article sources
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ABC News (1)
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Will Kenton is a personal finance writer with a Master's degree in Economics who has been published in Investopedia, AP News, TIME Stamped and Business Insider among other publications.
