The FAA is slashing flights because of the shutdown. Heres what travelers can expect

Travelers can expect to see fewer flights to many major U.S. cities starting Friday morning, when the Federal Aviation Administration said it would reduce traffic in 40 airports to ease the burden on the country’s air traffic controllers.

The FAA chief said: It was an unprecedented move But they are essential to keeping air travel safe as traffic controllers, who are federal employees, show signs of increased stress and fatigue while working without pay during the longest government shutdown on record.

Many worked six days a week and put in mandatory overtime even before the shutdown, but they are doing so without paychecks because lawmakers have been unable to agree on a way to reopen the government.

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago and hubs across the US are among the 40 airports where flights will be cut. a list It is distributed to airlines and obtained by the Associated Press.

Here’s what you need to know about disruptions and what to do if your trip is postponed or canceled.

Passengers will begin to be informed about cancellations on Thursday. Airlines say they will try to minimize damage impact on customerssome will find their weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice.

United Airlines said the cuts would focus on smaller regional routes that use smaller planes.

United, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines said they would offer refunds to passengers who choose not to fly, even if they purchased normally non-refundable tickets.

Affected airports span more than two dozen states across the country. These include the nation’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, as well as major airports in Anchorage, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Boston, and Anchorage.

Multiple airports will be affected in some metropolitan areas, including New York, Houston, Chicago and Washington.

It’s better to be stranded at home or in a hotel than stranded in an airport terminal; so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure your flight is still on before heading to the airport. This FAA site You can check if your airport has common delays.

If you’re already at the airport, it’s time to find another flight. Line up to speak to a customer service representative and call or go online to contact the airline’s reservations staff. Reaching out to X can also help because airlines can respond quickly there.

The good news is that early November is not the peak period for travel, so passengers have a better chance of finding a seat on other planes. But the busy holiday season is just a few weeks away, and passengers may have to wait days to find a seat on a new flight.

Now it may be time to consider whether it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus.

Kyle Potter, editor-in-chief of Thrifty Traveler, said the closure is different from situations where a single airline has a problem and passengers can choose another airline. Shortage of air traffic controllers can create problems for entire airports and multiple airlines simultaneously.

“As these problems expand and spread, the longer the shutdown takes, the less likely it is that a single airline will be able to provide service on time if the rest fail,” Potter said.

U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation or cover the cost of lodging and meals for stranded passengers, even if a flight cancellation or significant delay is the airline’s fault.

Biden administration suggested a rule would change that and require airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more cases; Compensation of approximately $200 to $775 would be offered. But the Trump administration I scrapped this last monthand the airlines praised him for doing so.

However, the US Department of Transportation has advised consumers commitments made by each carrier To cover refunds and other costs when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

Be kind. Airline agents are probably helping other frustrated passengers as well, and yelling won’t make them more willing to help. Remember, the cancellations are not their fault.

Travel insurance can also be helpful if you purchased a policy when you booked or used a travel credit card that offers this product, but Potter said you shouldn’t assume you’ll be covered even if you have insurance. Check the fine print to see if you are facing such situations where labor shortages cause flight disruptions.

If large numbers of flights are cancelled, airline agencies will soon be inundated with requests. If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, search using that person’s frequent flyer number. You can get faster service.

You can also try calling your airline’s international support number, which is often listed online and may have shorter wait times.