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Tag: Air travel

  • Hundreds of US flights are getting slashed Friday as the shutdown continues. Here’s what to know if you’re about to fly

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    (CNN) — Millions of Americans expecting to fly this month could have their plans grounded weeks ahead of the holiday travel season if the longest government shutdown in US history drags on.

    Starting Friday, the Trump administration will cut flights at 40 airports nationwide by 4% and incrementally increase the reduction to 10% by next Friday if the shutdown continues, according to an emergency order from the Federal Aviation Administration.

    Several major airlines have preemptively canceled hundreds of flights scheduled for Friday and into the weekend. The cancellations will impact airlines like a busy weather day, one airline official told CNN. Unlike a storm, however, they will be spread across multiple cities as opposed to a geographic region.

    Here’s what to know if the travel nightmare turns into reality Friday:

    Which 40 airports will lose flights?

    The reduction in flights will be restricted to 40 “high-volume traffic markets,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “We’re going to ask the airlines to work with us collaboratively to reduce their schedules.”

    The list of airports mentioned in the FAA’s order issued Thursday includes New York City’s three major hubs – New York LaGuardia, New York John F. Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International. Other impacted airports in the Northeast include Boston Logan International, Philadelphia International and Teterboro in New Jersey.

    Here are the airports in other regions that will see cuts beginning Friday:

    Midwest: Indianapolis International, Chicago Midway International, Chicago O’Hare International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Louisville International and Minneapolis-St. Paul International.

    South: Charlotte Douglas International, Dallas Love Field, Dallas-Fort Worth International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Houston Hobby, George Bush Houston Intercontinental, Memphis International, Orlando International, Miami International and Tampa International.

    DC area: Baltimore/Washington International, Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National.

    West: Denver International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Los Angeles International, Oakland International, Ontario International, Portland International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, San Diego International, Seattle/Tacoma International, San Francisco International and Salt Lake City International.

    Hawaii and Alaska: Anchorage International and Honolulu International.

    Many other airports could be impacted as well, since flights from the major cities where FAA cuts are mandated travel to smaller airports.

    How many flights will be cut?

    A 10% reduction in flights as mandated by the FAA could result in thousands of canceled flights a day – an unprecedented cut.

    Canceled flights will increase over the next week, beginning with a 4% cut of flights starting Friday at 6 a.m., the FAA order said.

    The cut will increase to 6% on Tuesday, then 8% on Thursday and up to 10% next Friday, the order says, if no deal is reached to end the government shutdown. Airlines will decide which specific flights to cut.

    “We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” said FAA administrator Bedford in a statement from the Department of Transportation.

    Which airlines have canceled flights on Friday?

    While most major airlines said the impact would be limited, the four largest US airlines have preemptively canceled hundreds of flights.

    Delta Air Lines has canceled around 170 regional and mainline flights that were scheduled on Friday, and more regional flights will be canceled, a spokesperson for the carrier told CNN.

    United Airlines will preemptively cancel about 200 flights starting Friday, roughly 4% of the airline’s Friday schedule and comprising mostly regional flights. It will cancel about 4% again on Saturday and Sunday, the airline said.

    American Airlines reduced flight schedules by 4% at 40 airports Friday through Monday, amounting to about 220 flights canceled each day, according to airline spokesperson Sarah Jantz. “Even with these cancellations, we plan to operate around 6,000 daily flights,” Jantz told CNN.

    Around 100 Southwest Airlines flights will be canceled Friday, the airline said. A Southwest spokesperson urged Congress to “immediately resolve its impasse” and said the airline is determining the schedule adjustments needed to meet the FAA’s flight reductions.

    I have travel plans in the coming days. What should I do?

    “If you are flying Friday or in the next ten days and need to be there or don’t want to be stranded I highly recommend booking a backup ticket on another carrier,” Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle posted on Instagram.

    “Don’t book a basic ticket. For example, book Economy on Frontier so you can reuse the ticket value as changes are free or you can get a credit,” Biffle wrote. “If your flight is cancelled your chances of being stranded are high so I would simply have a backup ticket on another airline.”

    American, Delta, Southwest, United and Frontier are all offering waivers to allow passengers who do not want to fly to change their tickets without fees.

    It’s also helpful to book directly with an airline instead of through a third-party website. That’s because if your flight gets canceled, you might have to deal with another party to resolve the problem.

    And try to avoid booking flights with layovers, the US Public Interest Research Group says. The more planes you have to get on to reach your destination, the more chances you have for a flight to be delayed or canceled.

    What if I’m stuck at another airport and my flight gets canceled? Will anyone pay for a hotel?

    Airlines will be required to refund passengers for flight cancellations but they will not cover other costs like hotels, which the FAA notes is the normal procedure when an airline is not at fault for a delay or cancellation.

    Why is all this happening?

    The government shutdown, which started on October 1, has prevented many federal employees from getting paid.

    Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration screeners are considered essential employees and are expected to go to work during the shutdown. But they’re not getting paid, and some have needed to find other sources of income to pay the bills.

    “Controllers are resigning every day now because of the prolonged nature of the shutdown,” said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. “We’re also 400 controllers short — shorter than we were in the 2019 shutdown.”

    More than 450 staffing shortages have been reported at FAA facilities since the shutdown began, according to a CNN analysis.

    If airports are short-staffed, is it still safe to fly?

    The longer the shutdown continues, the more risks could emerge – especially as controllers go longer without pay, the union leader said earlier this week. But federal officials say reducing the number of flights will improve safety.

    “Every single day that this goes on, tomorrow is now less safe than today,” Daniels told CNN.

    But the newly announced flight cuts will help maintain safety, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.

    “THIS is safety management, the very foundation of our aviation system, and it’s the right thing to do,” National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy posted on X.

    “NTSB has repeatedly stated low air traffic control staffing levels, mandatory overtime, and six-day work weeks have a direct impact on #safety.”

    CNN’s Alexandra Skores, Forrest Brown, Aaron Cooper, Tori B. Powell and David Williams contributed to this report.

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    Holly Yan, Pete Muntean and CNN

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  • 25 Travel Gifts for Frequent Fliers Who Are Never Home

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    For the frequent flier who treats the Delta Sky Club like their second home.

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    Boutayna Chokrane

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  • Criminal case against Boeing over deadly 737 Max crashes dismissed by judge

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    In a written decision issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor approved the federal government’s request to dismiss its case against Boeing as part of a deal that requires the aircraft maker to pay or invest an additional $1.1 billion in fines, compensation for the crash victims’ families, and internal safety and quality measures.

    What You Need To Know

    • A federal judge in Texas has dismissed a criminal conspiracy charge against Boeing related to two 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people

    • U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor approved the federal government’s request on Thursday

    • The deal requires Boeing to pay or invest an additional $1.1 billion in fines, compensation for victims’ families, and internal safety measures

    • The ruling follows a September hearing where victims’ relatives urged the judge to appoint a special prosecutor

    The ruling came after an emotional hearing in early September when relatives of some of the victims urged O’Connor to reject the deal and instead appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case.

    All passengers and crew members died when the planes went down off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019. Prosecutors had alleged that Boeing deceived government regulators about a flight-control system that was later implicated in the fatal flights.

    The long-running case has taken many twists and turns since the Justice Department first charged the American aerospace company in January 2021 with defrauding the U.S. government, including a failed deal that would have required Boeing to plead guilty. That plea agreement fell through after O’Connor did not approve it.

    Airlines began flying the Max in 2017. After the Ethiopia crash, the planes were grounded worldwide for 20 months while the company redesigned the flight-control software.

    The Justice Department had said it believed the latest agreement served the public interest more effectively than taking the case to trial and risking a jury verdict that might spare the company further punishment. It also said the families of 110 crash victims either support resolving the case before it reaches trial or did not oppose the deal.

    Meanwhile, more than a dozen relatives spoke at the Sept. 3 hearing, some of whom traveled to Texas from as far as Europe and Africa. They are among nearly 100 families who opposed the agreement.

    Catherine Berthet, who traveled from France, had asked the judge to send the case to trial.

    “Do not allow Boeing to buy its freedom,” she said. Her daughter, Camille Geoffroy, died when a 737 Max crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

    The yearslong case centers around a software system that Boeing developed for the 737 Max, which began flying in 2017.

    In both of the deadly crashes, that software pitched the nose of the plane down repeatedly based on faulty readings from a single sensor, and pilots flying for Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines were unable to regain control. After the Ethiopia crash, the planes were grounded worldwide for 20 months.

    Investigators found that Boeing did not inform key Federal Aviation Administration personnel about changes it had made to the software before regulators set pilot training requirements for the Max and certified the airliner for flight.

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    Associated Press

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  • FAA Plan to Cut Flights Might Not Be an Utter Nightmare

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    The US Federal Aviation Administration plans to cut 10 percent of flights in 40 high-traffic airports on Friday morning if Congress fails to reopen the federal government by then, Transportation secretary Sean Duffy and FAA chief Bryan Bedford said Wednesday.

    The announcement came days after the US agency said it faced widespread shortages of air traffic controllers in half of the country’s 30 busiest airports and hours-long security lines caused by absences of Transportation Security Administration agents. Federal workers have now gone 35 days without a paycheck amid the longest government shutdown in US history.

    Which flights might be canceled, and where, “is data-based,” Duffy said Wednesday. “This is based on, where is the pressure and how do we alleviate the pressure?”

    When passengers fly, “they are going to make it to their destinations safely, because we’ve done our work,” Duffy said.

    The FAA did not immediately respond to WIRED’s questions, and it’s unclear whether the flight cut will affect only commercial airlines or cargo and private flights as well. A 10 percent reduction in scheduled commercial flights at 40 airports could lead to some 4,000 to 5,000 canceled flights per day.

    For airlines and travelers, a sudden cut in flights will likely lead to some serious logistical headaches. Duffy earlier this week warned of air travel “mass chaos” should the shutdown drag on.

    But airlines have some experience responding to sudden flight reductions due to staffing issues, says Michael McCormick, a former FAA official who now heads the Air Traffic Management program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

    In the spring of 2023, during another period of air traffic controller shortages, the FAA allowed airlines to reduce their capacities in New York–area airports. (Such reductions usually force airlines to forfeit the right to a takeoff or landing; the FAA temporarily nixed that penalty.) In response, airline schedulers were able to quickly “up-gauge,” compensating for the reduced number of flights by replacing small aircraft with larger ones. That way, cutting flights didn’t necessarily reduce the number of passengers flying overall.

    Should the FAA follow through on Friday, airlines will likely be able to pull off a similar up-gauging process, says McCormick. While flights will be canceled and passengers moved around, this could mean that plenty are still able to get to their destinations. The move might actually give airlines more time to prepare.

    “Under the current state, it’s unpredictable which airports are going to be impacted tomorrow,” he says. “This restores some predictability.”

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    Aarian Marshall

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  • NASA’s Supersonic Jet Finally Takes off for Its First Super Fast, Super Quiet Flight

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    NASA’s X-59 aircraft completed its first flight over the Southern California desert, bringing us closer to traveling at the speed of sound without the explosive, thunder-like clap that comes with it.

    The experimental aircraft, built by aerospace contractor Lockheed Martin, is designed to break the sound barrier, albeit to do it quietly. On Tuesday, X-59 took off from the company’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, for the first in its initial series of test flights. The plane aced its test, verifying the aircraft’s performance during an approximately hour-long flight before landing near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

    Keep it down

    When planes fly faster than the speed of sound, Mach 1, or about 767 miles per hour (1,234 kilometers per hour), they create a loud, explosive noise due to the shock waves created by the extreme speeds. The noise, known as a sonic boom, can startle people living in cities where supersonic jets fly overhead.

    In 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration prohibited supersonic flights of non-military aircraft over land to prevent the audible disturbance. At the time, aerospace technology was not nearly as advanced as it is today. Since then, however, research has shown ways to soften the sounds of supersonic flights. President Donald Trump reversed the ban on commercial supersonic flights in June, instructing the FAA to establish a standard for supersonic aircraft noise certification.

    NASA began working on a quiet supersonic aircraft nearly a decade ago, paying $518 million to Lockheed Martin to develop X-59. The plane’s sharp design is meant to reduce the pressure change that flows over the ground, thereby reducing the impact of sonic booms. X-59’s engine is mounted on top of the aircraft, which reduces the amount of noise from the plane that reaches the ground.

    “People below would hear sonic ‘thumps’ rather than booms, if they hear anything at all,” NASA wrote in a statement. Earlier this year, NASA wrapped up a series of tests on the single modified F414-GE-100 engine powering the entire plane and its subsystems. The engine testing made way for the X-59 to finally take flight.

    Over the coming months, NASA and Lockheed Martin will continue to test the in-flight capabilities of X-59, which will include the plane’s first supersonic flights. During those flights, the plane will attempt to reach its desired speed and altitude, along with a quiet, rather than sonic, boom. From there, NASA will begin to measure X-59’s sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing, according to Lockheed Martin.

    If commercial supersonic flights do make a comeback, it would greatly reduce travel time. Flying at a maximum speed of 1,345 miles per hour (2,179 kilometers per hour), you could fly from London to New York City via a quick, hopefully quiet, three-hour trip.

     

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    Passant Rabie

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  • Air Traffic Controllers Just Missed Their First Paycheck—Here’s What it Means for Travel

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    Air traffic controllers missed their first paychecks Tuesday amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. One controller, Zac Ploch, is speaking out. 

    With 10 years of experience, Ploch has spent the last three years working at Denver International Airport. He told FOX31 he worked nearly 60 hours last week, but yesterday his paycheck showed zeros. Expenses are stacking up for federal workers, he says.

    “Mortgage statements, credit card bills, light bills, gas in my car, or electric in some people’s cars, just to get to and from work, to be able to get to their job that doesn’t wait, that doesn’t take an ‘IOU,’” Ploch says. 

    The Federal Aviation Administration was already nearly three thousand controllers short before the shutdown, as a reported 35% of FAA trainees fail to complete the 3-month course. Now, the program is facing another challenge: future air traffic controllers currently undergoing training are having second thoughts. 

    “I’m getting word now from Oklahoma city where I have young air traffic controller students who are now telling me, ‘what the hell am I doing? Why am I going to take this job?’” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told NPR last week. “They’re thinking about leaving the academy, smart young men and women, because they don’t want to work for a system that won’t pay them.” 

    The training academy is able to operate with funding through the end of November, meaning trainees are still getting paid, says National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels. But as soon as they graduate, the pay is uncertain. 

    “[A]ir traffic controllers don’t start or stop government shutdowns—politicians do,” Daniels said in a statement. “Yet right now, the people who keep our skies safe and our nation moving are doing their job without a paycheck.” 

    Controllers handed out leaflets across 22 airports this week to educate travelers about the impact of the shutdown. For now, they continue to work up to six days a week, 10 hours a day, without compensation. 

    In a Tuesday press conference, Duffy said that while air travel will remain safe, it may not be on time if airports can’t keep enough air traffic controllers working.

    “If we have issues, we will slow it down, we will stop it, and so I don’t want anyone to think it’s not safe, it’s just that you may not be traveling on the schedule you anticipated,” Duffy said.

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    Ava Levinson

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  • Air travel impacted by federal government shutdown

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    More air travelers are feeling uneasy about their flight times this week because air traffic controllers are missing their first full paychecks since the start of the federal shutdown 28 days ago.

    The consequences of the shutdown already have played out at U.S. airports, with ground stops at Los Angeles International and Newark Liberty International airport two days ago, stalling passengers nationwide.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says nearly half of the nation’s flight delays and cancellations are due to the shutdown, and he’s warning more are expected with the holiday season coming.

    Ginger Conejero Saab has more in the video above.

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    NBC Bay Area staff

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  • FAA Expert Warns of Air Travel Meltdown Within Days

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    As the US approaches the longest government shutdown in history, officials are predicting a significant increase in travel disruptions. Air traffic controllers have been working without pay for nearly a month, and the financial stress is beginning to weigh heavily. 

    Former FAA deputy administrator Dan Elwell said on “Fox Report Weekend” that “after a paycheck or two, many Americans will find it difficult to pay ongoing bills.” Controllers are set to miss their first paychecks on Tuesday. 

    Elwell, who was FAA administrator during the 2019 shutdown, said the strain on controllers became overwhelming around day 25. As of October 27, the shutdown is on day 26.

    “… the stress on the controllers is really what broke the shutdown at that time, and we ended it because the delays and the problems with air traffic control came to a head,” he says.

    According to CNN, at least 264 cases of staffing issues have been reported at FAA facilities since the start of the shutdown on October 1, which is four times the amount at this time last year. Twenty-two of those instances, translating to flight delays, happened Saturday, US Transportation secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News, which he says is one of the highest in the last month.

    “The controllers are wearing thin,” Duffy said, adding that many are starting to look for second jobs to support themselves and their families. 

    There have been few signs thus far of the current shutdown coming to an end. But a month out from Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel weeks in the country, the impending travel issues could be among the first. 

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    Ava Levinson

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  • ‘First person I ever had removed’: Delta flight attendant seats passenger in exit row. She can’t believe his response when she asks this common question

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    Entitlement doesn’t fly—literally. A Delta flight attendant on TikTok is spilling the in-flight tea about the first passenger she ever kicked off a plane. A man, bitter about not being upgraded to first class, refused to verbally confirm he’d assist in an emergency from his exit-row seat—because “nodding was enough.”

    Moments later, the captain personally escorted him off the plane, and the kicker? He thought he was finally getting that first-class upgrade.

    What are Delta’s Exit Row Requirements?

    Savannah (@savannah0191) might have just been four months into her now 10-year career, but her story remains relevant today. At 918,000 views, it’s clear the tale as old as time always gathers attention–in this case, entitlement.

    Savannah begins her four-and-a-half-minute story by saying, “ A guy walks on board and starts talking to the flight attendant up front. I cannot hear what he is saying, but I can hear him because he is loud.”

    This should have been the first sign. Savannah continues, saying that the man finally gets to her row, and she greets him warmly. In turn, he rolls his eyes and says, “Ugh, here I go back with all these peasants.” Apparently, he was upset because he hadn’t received the first class upgrade he wanted.

    Why can’t he just say yes?

    Savannah shares that it was her duty to brief the passengers sitting on the exit rows. As luck would have it, Mr. Entitled Passenger was one of these people. This is where the story gets spicy. When the attendant asked the standard safety question—could he verbally confirm he’d help in an emergency?—he simply nodded his head. Of course, as per FAA rules, passengers need to verbally respond, “Yes.”

    “In the United States… all passengers seated in the exit row must be able to understand and speak English. This is one of the reasons flight attendants are required to receive a verbal yes from passengers seated in the exit row. This verbal response allows flight attendants to determine whether or not a passenger can understand what the flight attendant is saying and can articulate a logical response,” it stated.

    Savannah’s passenger refused to say “yes.” She asks him again, and he gets upset and insists a head nod was good enough. Big mistake. Savannah simply walks to the Delta captain and asks him to remove the rude passenger. Minutes later, the captain personally comes to escort the passenger off the plane. In a plot twist straight out of karma’s playbook, the man thought he was finally getting his first-class upgrade. Spoiler: he wasn’t. The gate agent gets him off the plane and the flight is on its way shortly after. 

    ‘Why Can’t People Just Be Kind?’

    As the TikTok keeps reaching more For You Pages, viewers swarm in the comments to laugh at the passenger’s karma. 

    One viewer says, “A classic FAFO ([expletive] around and find out) moment.” Another says, “He got upgraded alright!”

    Some people are just baffled at the absurdity of the situation. One viewer says, “All he had to do was say ‘yes’…i’ll never understand people.” 

    Another shares, “He couldn’t be respectful enough to follow your instructions, idk why he thought the captain of all ppl would be upgrading his seat.”

    A logical viewer shares, “In the event of an emergency you would have had zero confidence in his cooperation. 100% correct call.”

    Lastly, this viewer’s comment sums it up: “Flight attendants keep us safe, keep things running efficiently, AND they give us snacks. They deserve literally all of the respect.”

    @savannah0191

    the first ever person I had removed ?

    ♬ original sound – Savannah

    The Mary Sue reached out to Savannah via TikTok direct message and to Delta via media contact form.

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    Gisselle Hernandez

    Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].

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    Gisselle Hernandez

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  • ‘You should follow her home, buddy’: Woman puts her hand on man’s airplane seat. Then he touches it

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    No one wants their space invaded in an already cramped airplane seat. So, fellow passengers praise one man’s hilarious response to a woman putting her hand on his headrest.

    In a video with over 21.3 million views, TikToker Desingerica (@dragomirdespic_design) shows an older woman sitting behind him, gripping the top of his airplane seat. He glances up at her hand.

    What he does next shocks viewers.

    How did he deal with the woman’s hand on his airplane seat?

    In the background, he plays the romantic song “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.

    Then, he reaches up and strokes the woman’s hand lovingly. She jumps back and quickly pulls her hand away, glancing up at the TikToker with an embarrassed expression. She crosses her arms.

    The TikToker then pans down and makes a sarcastic, bashful expression. His travel partner, sitting next to hi,m holds back laughter and covers his face with his hand.

    What did viewers think of his reaction?

    On subreddits like r/AmIOverreacting, airline passengers share how they escalate issues of personal space invasion. Many suggest calling a flight attendant or confronting the passenger in their space.

    However, commenters on the TikToker’s video praise his clever way of conveying that the woman was in his bubble.

    “She was in your personal space so you got personal,” one writes.

    “Sometimes violence doesn’t solve problem,” another says.

    “Hahahahaha I’m going to remember that move next time someone does that on a plane,” a third adds.

    “I’m so glad you did something (and something silly!) instead of just posting rage bait,” a fourth viewer says.

    Even flight attendants co-sign his hilarious way of handling the situation.

    “As a flight attendant, thanks for HANDling this with grace and humor,” one viewer comments.

    “I’m a flight attendant and I approve this message,” a second remarks.

    Others share their own awkward encounters with passengers who invaded their personal space.

    “One time a girl in front of me draped her long hair over the seat covering my TV and food tray. I braided it,” a commenter shares.

    “This creased me! on our first family flight to Spain a few weeks ago my little girl was freaked out by a hand grabbing the side of her chair, I put my jumper there but should have grabbed it instead,” another writes.

    “Wet your finger and pretend to lick em,” a third jokes.

    @dragomirdespic_design ♬ Perfect – Ed Sheeran

    The Mary Sue reached out to Desingerica via Instagram direct message for further comment.

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    Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

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    Rebekah Harding

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  • Flight Delays in the U.S. Are About to Get Much Worse

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    Roughly 6.6% of flights in the U.S. were delayed on Thursday due to absences from air traffic controllers, according to Reuters. That’s only a little worse than the average, which sits at 5%. But it’s about to get much worse, if history is any guide. Previously, that number has hit 53% in previous government shutdowns.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held a press conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday to raise the alarm about what the days and weeks ahead could look like at the nation’s airports. Air traffic controllers, like most government employees, aren’t getting paid right now due to the government shutdown, which started Oct. 1.

    Paychecks that went out 10 days ago included about 90% of what a typical air traffic controller is usually paid, according to Duffy, because most of that time period covered work done in September. But paychecks scheduled for this coming Tuesday are going to be $0. And that means a lot more air traffic controllers are likely to call out sick, a common thing seen during prior government shutdowns as workers are frustrated that they’re not getting paid.

    “As I’ve traveled around to talk to the controllers, there’s great frustration,” Duffy said. “There’s anxiety because as any one of you, you look at the expectation that a paycheck comes in and then you plan for that, and you pay your mortgage, you pay your car payment, you put food on the table.”

    “As these controllers come to work, they have to pay for babysitters, child care. There’s a whole host of bills that Americans have that they anticipate that paycheck is going to come in, so they can meet those bills. The stress level that our controllers are under right now, I think, is unacceptable.”

    Republicans control both the Senate and House but need Democratic votes to reopen the government, and there’s no end in sight for the shutdown. Democrats say they want Republicans to address the massive health care cuts that they imposed over the summer with the so-called Big Beautiful Bill. The bill, celebrated by President Donald Trump, was a massive handout to the wealthy, delivering what’s expected to be $114 billion in tax cuts to those making over $1 million per year in 2027 alone.

    During the press conference, Duffy repeated the lie that Democrats are trying to pay for health care for “illegal immigrants.” Democrats are trying to get funding restored for Medicaid, which includes 1.4 million legal immigrants who are losing their coverage. Health care coverage is about to become a much bigger problem for millions of Americans as rates are set for the coming year. The Washington Post published a new article on Friday that explains how average premiums for Obamacare are expected to rise 30% next year if nothing is done, meaning 17 million Americans will see their costs rise substantially. Employer-provided plans are also expected to rise.

    Republicans have refused to negotiate on the shutdown, instead pledging that if Democrats just help reopen the government, they’ll address health care later. But that’s obviously not something Democrats believe will actually happen, given the Trump regime’s history of lying about every issue, big and small.

    The U.S. already has a shortage of air traffic controllers, about 2,000 to 3,000 short, according to Duffy. And these kinds of disruptions aren’t great for recruitment and retention. People typically want to work at a place with some stability, to say nothing of just getting paid for the work that they do. Duffy has previously threatened to fire about 10% of the air traffic controllers if they call out sick.

    Duffy has said that he doesn’t want air traffic controllers to get second jobs, like driving for Uber, but for workers living paycheck-to-paycheck, that almost becomes a necessity when you’re not getting paid for the job that you’re performing for the federal government.

    The Transportation Secretary stressed that he’s not worried about safety at America’s airports because if things aren’t safe, they slow down. That’s the reason that delays happen when there aren’t enough air traffic controllers.

    “If we have controllers that are more stressed and less able to do the job, we pay close attention to that and we will reduce the capacity of airplanes taking off and landing, or we will cancel flights,” said Duffy. “And so you can and very well may see delays in the system, but that’s because our priority is you getting from point A to point B and getting there safely. I’m less concerned about you getting there on time. I want you to be safe.”

    But if the shutdown continues, and there’s been no sign that it will end anytime soon, American travelers can expect significant delays ahead.

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    Matt Novak

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  • Flight to Las Vegas returns to Boston over unruly passenger, police say

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    A flight from Boston to Las Vegas had to turn around Monday night because of an unruly passenger, Massachusetts State Police said.

    A man from Louisville, Kentucky, was set to face a charge of interfering with a flight crew on JetBlue Flight 777, according to police.

    The airline reported to police about 10 p.m. that the plane was returning to the gate at Boston Logan International Airport because of a non-compliant, verbally abusive passenger. Police didn’t share more details about the incident, or the 37-year-old passenger’s name.

    A flight-tracking website shows the flight turned around over western New York.

    JetBlue said the flight left for Las Vegas after the people involved got off the plane in Boston.

    “Safety is JetBlue’s first priority, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we addressed this situation,” the airline’s statement said.

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    Asher Klein

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  • Six major US travel rules that have changed in 2025, explained

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    From policy reversals to fee introductions and digital transformations at borders, 2025 has seen significant changes in travel rules that affect millions of passengers globally. Here, experts unpack some of the biggest updates so far this year.

    Travel Rules Changes for 2025:

    No Mandatory Cash Compensation for Delays

    A key proposal that would have required airlines to provide mandatory cash compensation to passengers for controllable delays was scrapped in September.

    “I think one of the biggest changes was in September, the Trump administration dropped a Biden-era plan that would have required airlines to provide cash compensation for significant flight delays,” travel expert Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and in-flight policy and procedure analyst, told Newsweek. “As a result, there is no federal rule mandating that airlines pay passengers for delays caused by issues within the carrier’s control.”

    According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) previously issued an “Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that examined requiring U.S. and foreign air carriers to adopt and adhere to customer service plans identifying essential services,” such as meals, rebooking, hotel stays, transportation to or from the hotel, timely customer service, as well as “compensation which airlines would be required to provide to mitigate passenger inconveniences” when a flight cancellation or delay was “due to circumstances within the airline’s control.” 

    However, the office noted that “consistent with Department and administration priorities, the Department plans to withdraw the ANPRM.”

    Each airline sets its own compensation policies. According to the website of the DOT, which was last updated on September 11, “If an airline has made a commitment to provide a particular service or compensation, then the Department can hold the airline accountable.”

    The DOT guidance advises that “controllable delays” include those due to maintenance, crew issues, fueling, or baggage loading. Passengers are advised to check with their carrier during delays, as amenities such as meals or hotel stays vary by airline.

    American Airlines Removes Bag Sizers at Boarding Gates

    Another notable change came from American Airlines, which removed its gate-area bag sizers in October, a decision made to streamline boarding processes. According to an internal memo reported by the aviation website View From the Wing, gate agents are now instructed to “use their judgement” and “err on the side of the customer” when determining if a bag needs to be checked.

    While the move doesn’t change actual baggage size limits, it alters enforcement. “The bag sizer isn’t a ‘rule change’ per se,” Laurie told Newsweek. “The bag sizes are still in force, but the agents can now eyeball it and also take the passengers’ word for it.”

    Southwest Airlines Ends ‘Bags Fly Free’ Policy

    Perhaps one of the most dramatic shifts in airline policy this year came from Southwest Airlines. Known for its “Bags Fly Free” mantra, the airline eliminated free checked bags for most travelers on flights booked from May 28 onward.

    “One of the biggest shakeups in the travel industry this year comes from Southwest Airlines,” Sarah Silbert from Points Path, a flight search browser extension tool, told Newsweek. “The airline ended that longstanding perk…and has now joined the ranks of other major U.S. airlines by introducing hefty checked bag fees.”

    Sarah Pardi, a travel expert at the global insurance firm Insurte, told Newsweek: “Checking a bag can be expensive, so it was definitely a selling point for customers looking for a great deal.”

    Travelers with a Southwest credit card or A-List status can still check one bag for free.

    Spirit Airlines Offers Two Free Checked Bags—to Some

    While other carriers tighten baggage perks, Spirit Airlines has taken a different approach. As of 2025, the ultra-low-cost carrier now allows co-branded credit card holders to check two bags for free—provided the booking is made directly through the airline.

    Pardi said: “The Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard, which is co-branded with Bank of America, will allow Spirit Airlines travelers a two-bag allowance each when tickets are booked directly through Spirit with the credit card.”

    Southwest To Introduce Assigned Seating

    While not yet active, another big shift is on the horizon for Southwest Airlines. As of January 27, 2026, the airline will transition from its open seating model to an assigned seating system.

    “One of the more quirky experiences when flying Southwest is that seats are not assigned,” Pardi told Newsweek. “Starting January 27 of 2026, this is changing…fare choices will include Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom.”

    Southwest’s website confirms the change, promising “seat options that allow you to choose the experience you prefer,” and highlighting upgrades as part of its broader rebrand, including new cabin designs and loyalty perks.

    Digital Entry Replaces Passport Stamps

    A major change across the pond will affect American travelers looking to collect passport stamps while trekking around Europe. As of October 12, the European Union began rolling out its Entry/Exit System (EES), phasing out physical passport stamps in favor of biometric data collection at border checkpoints.

    “The new Entry/Exit System (EES) started to be operational on 12 October 2025,” according to the European Commission’s official travel website. The system captures fingerprints and facial images, and will be gradually deployed across the Schengen Area, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026.

    Do you have a travel-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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  • ‘Ur mom making it worse is SENDING ME’: Man flies from Miami to New Jersey. Then he survives the ‘flight from hell’

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    A New Jersey man recounts his scary turbulence experience when he had to fly from Miami during a storm. Viewers react to how he coped with the hellish flight and other anxious passengers.

    In a video with around 10,000 views, TikToker Mike Panettiere (@mikepanettiere) sits in his car as he recounts the “flight from hell” from Miami to New Jersey. He says he originally planned to fly out a day later but was hoping to catch an earlier flight to miss a storm in New Jersey.

    “I get a text that the flight was delayed an hour and a half,” he says. “No big deal.”

    He heads to the airport in an Uber and decides to “garden,” TikTok slang for using marijuana, to ease his nerves before the flight.

    Panettiere gets a text while going through security that his flight is delayed even longer. In that moment, he realizes his edible will “hit” before he boards the flight.

    When he gets to the gate, an agent announces over the loudspeaker that the flight may be canceled. He calls his mom, who was going to pick him up in New Jersey, to let her know the flight may not go out.

    “[She says], ‘What? What do you mean? What are we gonna do? You’re gonna have to stay till Tuesday,”” he recounts dramatically. “Now my stress and cortisol levels are through the roof.”

    Luckily, a short time later, the agent announces that the flight will leave at 7:30 p.m.

    Panettiere continues that other passengers began freaking out as they boarded the plane. One couple begs the flight attendant to let them sit together, as the wife has severe flight anxiety. He watches the couple switch seats with other passengers to sit next to each other.

    Then, the pilot makes an announcement that they expect severe turbulence about one hour into the flight.

    Is it safe to fly in a storm?

    He says the first hour of the flight was smooth, but the turbulence intensified in the second hour of the flight.

    “I kid you not, the plan was going like this,” he says, making wave motions with his arm. “And I am bugging out.”

    While turbulence can be disturbing for passengers, it’s generally fine to fly during a storm, according to the BBC. In fact, pilots are trained to perform special maneuvers that make flying with turbulence safe. Should a severe storm impact flying conditions, the flight may be canceled.

    Panettiere says his heart rate was so fast during the turbulence, getting a reading of 170 beats per minute on his watch.

    He says the woman with anxiety starts screaming as the turbulence worsens, leading other passengers to begin freaking out, too.

    “So now I’m hearing this and I’m bugging out,” he says. “She’s stressing me out to the max.”

    He says the turbulence only lasted 10 to 15 minutes, but it felt like “two and a half to three hours.”

    “I’ve never been on a plane where the turbulence is that bad,” he remarks at the end of the clip. “I recommend not gardening before a flight.”

    How did viewers react to his flight story?

    In the comments, viewers joke about his chaotic flight saga.

    “I’m sorry but as a flight attendant myself…I am crying laughing at this story,” one says.

    “I’m laughing so hard i work over nites shifts this made my nite lol sorry though this happen to u,” another comments.

    Others share their own scary turbulence experiences.

    “Miami to jersey is a different flight. I was sick MULTIPLE TIMES BACK BC OF TURBULENCE,” a commenter writes.

    “My brother, sisinlaw & niece were on a plane from Cincinnati to RI. Turbulence inbound to RI in pitch black. Lightning, thunder, up and down. My niece? 2 rows back screaming: Get me off this plane!!” another shares.

    “My scariest flight was alsoooo Miami to nj,” a third adds.

    @mikepanettiere Buckle up… because I just survived the FLIGHT FROM HELL ?? I swear I’m not exaggerating — this was straight out of a movie ?✈️ #flightfromhell #storytime #traveling #fyp #turbelence ♬ original sound – Mike Panettiere

    The Mary Sue reached out to Panettiere via Instagram direct message.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

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    Rebekah Harding

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  • Insomnia Cookies set to open store inside Philadelphia International Airport

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    Flying out of the City of Brotherly Love is about to get a whole lot sweeter.

    Philadelphia-founded Insomnia Cookies is set to open its first airport location in Terminal C at the Philadelphia International Airport in spring 2026.

    The addition of the beloved late-night bakery is all a part of MarketPlace PHL’s “Founded in Philly” program, which highlights restaurants and shops with local origins. Organizers said the initiative is made to put Philadelphia brands front and center for airport passengers.

    The most recent additions to the airport include Federal Donuts & Chicken, Elixr Coffee Roasters and Oyster House.

    Organizers said the new Insomnia Cookies location will be operated by the owner of Airport Dining, Hakan Ilhan, a veteran restaurateur with experience in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

    Ilhan also operates other dining establishments, including Bud & Marilyn’s, Good Luck Restaurant & Bar, and Sabrina’s Cafe.

    At the new Insomnia Cookies, travelers will get their pick out of the bakery’s full lineup of warm, delicious classic cookies, deluxe cookies, and the company’s very own “Cookies IN Ice Cream” in addition to other travel-friendly treats.

    The airport cookie counter will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, with hours extending to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, to “accommodate both late-night cravings and morning flights.”

    “Passengers love exploring local favorite dining options when they pass through PHL, and Insomnia Cookies will be a perfect addition to our growing ‘Founded in Philly’ offerings,” Mel Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL, said in a news release. “This new location brings one of Philly’s biggest late-night snacking traditions to the airport.”

    Insomnia Cookies was founded in 2003 as a late-night college staple by University of Pennsylvania alumn Seth Berkowitz. Since the brand has grown to nearly 350 locations across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

    Insomnia’s headquarters remain in Philadelphia to this day and continue to expand even within the city. A new location was recently unveiled on Spruce Street, the 17th store in the Greater Philadelphia region.

    “Philadelphia is our hometown, and we’re excited to bring our warm, delicious cookies to Philadelphia International Airport,” said Berkowitz. “This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in our growth trajectory, proving the success of our channel expansion strategy and our ability to reach Insomniacs in unparalleled ways. By embedding the brand deeper into travel environments, we reaffirm our commitment to satisfying the cravings of Insomniacs wherever they are and lead the industry in indulgent innovation.”

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    Cherise Lynch

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  • We Lugged the Best Travel Tote on Work Trips, Weekends, and More

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    Compare Top 6 Travel Totes

    More Travel Totes to Consider

    Aer Simple Tote for $139: Have you ever hefted a nylon or leather tote in your hand and realized that slinging it over your shoulder would give you immediate scoliosis? Then you want Aer’s ultra-lightweight, simple sailcloth tote, which weighs less than a pound. Its 15 liters felt surprisingly capacious. I fit two jackets inside on a walk with my kids, and the 3-inch-wide bag tucked neatly under my arm. The two exterior drop pockets fit my Nalgene and Kinto mug, and my phone fits neatly in the exterior zip pocket. The Fidlock closure, in addition to being pretty to look at and use, provided a bit of security but was much less, er, fiddly (sorry) than having to close the bag with a zipper. This is a great upgrade if you are getting tired of carrying everything in your shredded canvas tote from Umami Mart and want a bag that’s not going to get soaked in something questionable if you put it down in the wrong place on the subway. It is a little more expensive, though. —Adrienne So

    Cuyana System Tote 16-Inch for $358: The Cuyana System Tote is a modular gear-hauler that shape-shifts with your itinerary. Designed to outlast the churn of fast fashion, this travel tote starts minimal, but the genius lies in its add-ons. A laptop sleeve or insert organizer creates a structure on the go, with dedicated slots for your computer, water bottle, and other work essentials. A System Flap Bag insert doubles as a clutch or in-bag organizer, and a detachable, adjustable strap (also available in a wide model) converts the tote into a crossbody, perfect for hands-free airport sprints if you’re unintentionally trying out airport theory. Instead of stitched-on straps prone to failure, the System Tote’s handles are cut directly from its leather body, minimizing points of wear. The main compartment snaps shut rather than zips, something to know if you’re the spill-averse type.

    Avoid This Tote

    Calpak Diaper Tote Bag with Laptop Sleeve for $195: This bag was really puffy, but felt bulky, and space was lost to give the puffiness to the bag’s layers. It was somehow too big for everyday use, but not big enough when I needed a lot of stuff brought along for a day trip or long outings. It also didn’t really feel that diaper bag-centric; the only thing “diaper” about it was the baby wipe compartment on the outside, but I would have preferred an exterior pocket to store actual diapers along with it. You could stuff a couple of diapers in the flat front pocket, but it’s not as ideal as other designs I’ve tried. The insulated bottle pockets are handy if you travel with bottles, but feel useless after your baby graduates from bottles (which they graduate much earlier than diapers!) It’s not a bad bag, but I’d recommend a different design for parents and travelers alike. —Nena Farrell

    To determine the best travel tote, we put each bag through real-world travel scenarios to see how it performs. That means packing it with laptops, chargers, clothes, and toiletries, testing comfort when worn over the shoulder or carried by hand. We’ll overstuff the totes to check durability, organization, and accessibility. We’ll evaluate how it fits under airplane seats, protects tech gear, and resists wear and weather. If it’s supposedly water-resistant, we’ll take it out in the rain to determine whether it survives without soaking its contents.

    We scrutinized every pocket, compartment, and zipper for usability. When it comes to design, we paid attention to the details: interior fabric choices that make contents easy to see, convenient pocket placement, and hardware choices like zippers and zipper pulls. We also paid attention to key design elements, such as the handle length and overall structure.

    We prioritized quality and sustainability, and we included eco-friendly brands for environmentally conscious consumers. We also made sure to include an array of fabrics for stylistic variability. Lastly, we considered how each bag stacked up against its price point, ensuring that the quality justified the cost.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.

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    Boutayna Chokrane

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  • Bay Area airports not playing Noem video on shutdown impact

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    Bay Area airports and others around the country are refusing to play a video with a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on TSA operations because of its political content.

    Airports in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle and more say the video goes against their airport policy or regulations which prohibit political messaging in their facilities.

    In the Bay Area, the video is not running at San Francisco International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, officials said. A San Jose Mineta International Airport spokesperson, in a statement, said, “Operations at SJC are continuing without disruption, so no additional messaging in the Terminals is necessary. In the event of any operational impacts, airport-specific messaging will be used to keep passengers informed and ensure they have a seamless travel experience at SJC.”

    Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown, with some experts arguing it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.

    The shutdown has halted routine operations and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.

    In the video, Noem says that TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.

    “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she continues.

    The Transportation Security Administration falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown. The Department said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country.

    A DHS spokeswoman responded to a request for comment restating some of the message from Noem’s video.

    “It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

    The Harry Reid International Airport, in Las Vegas, said it had to “remain mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions.”

    “Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy,” the statement said.

    Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City won’t play the video at its local airport. In a statement, he called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,” and said its tone is “unnecessarily alarmist” as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport.

    “At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust,” he said.

    Even in red states, airports weren’t showing the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport wasn’t playing the video because state law prohibits using city-owned property for political purposes, said airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer.

    The airport in Billings, Montana, “politely declined” even though it has screens that could show the video with audio, assistant aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.

    “We don’t want to get in the middle of partisan politics,” Khera said. “We like to stay middle of the road, we didn’t want to play that video.”

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    Adriana Gomez Licon | Associated Press

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  • The Shutdown Is Pushing Air Safety Workers to the Limit

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    “We will never compromise on safety. When staffing constraints arise, the FAA will slow down air traffic at impacted airports to ensure operations remain safe,” FAA spokesperson Hannah Walden tells WIRED, adding that Transportation secretary Sean Duffy “said that air traffic controllers who report to work will be paid. Regarding reductions in force (RIFs), DOT has been clear for months: safety critical positions—including air traffic controllers—have and will continue to be exempt from any RIFs.”

    In a written statement, a spokesperson for the TSA said of employees working without pay: “It’s unfortunate they have been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

    On Thursday, Duffy suggested on Fox Business News that controllers and other workers who don’t come to work during the shutdown would be fired. “If we have a continual small subset of controllers that don’t show up to work, and they’re the problem children … if we have some on our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’re going to let them go,” said Duffy.

    One air traffic controller described this week’s working conditions as “pretty much the same” but with “an undercurrent of fear that the dipshits in charge will use this as an excuse to decertify our union and take away all bargaining rights.”

    Air traffic workers know that accusations of coordinated activity and sick-outs, or informal labor actions that could violate long-standing bargaining agreements with the government, are especially perilous right now, as federal officials threaten the status of public sector unions. The Trump administration suddenly ended TSA workers’ collective bargaining agreement in March, before a court preliminarily halted the move in June. Workers worry that taking an absence, even when it’s needed, could have long-term consequences for their union—and therefore, their working conditions.

    The National Air Traffic Controllers Association did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment. But a pop-up on the public union’s website notes that it “does not endorse, support, or condone any federal employees participating in or endorsing a coordinated activity that negatively affects the capacity” of the National Airspace System.

    Jones, the TSA agent and union leader, says his group won’t organize sick-outs. But employees may have to call out if the lack of pay means “they don’t have the means to commute into work,” he says.

    “We are sick and tired of being political pawns for Washington,” adds Jones.

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    Aarian Marshall

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  • Thousands of Flights Face Delays as Government Shutdown Snarls Air Travel

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    The government shutdown is snarling air travel with hundreds of flights delayed nationwide. Things are only expected to nosedive from here if the shutdown drags on.

    Air travel often suffers during federal shutdowns because essential workers at airports are expected to work throughout shutdowns without pay. Once the government reopens, these workers are entitled to back pay — but historically, many people begin to call in sick the longer a shutdown transpires. Affected workers include those serving the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, and Air Traffic control.

    Things could only worsen from here, especially if furloughed workers don’t receive the backpay they’re usually entitled to. The White House floated the possibility on Tuesday. 

    Data from FlightAware, a flight tracking platform, shows that more than 2,500 flights were delayed in the U.S. as of Wednesday late afternoon. 

    The FAA on Wednesday acknowledged that airports in Chicago, Nashville, and a handful of others were struggling with staffing shortages. An air traffic control tower in California was reportedly closed because of staffing shortages, leaving a pilot to take off with no guidance.

    If the shutdown continues, travelers should expect more delays in the event that frustrated airport personnel already grappling with skeleton crew staff levels begin to call out more. 

    As a result, some entrepreneurs are ditching air travel for the time being. 

    “With the Federal shutdown, travel delays and concerns for me have definitely risen and now I am making alternative travel plans,” says Sharon Zimmerman, the owner of Sharon Z Consulting, which advises small businesses in the jewelry industry. “This looks like opting out of conference fees (on the off chance that a TSA or FAA work stoppage would prevent travel), but opting into local, more casual networking events for my industry.”

    Traditional TSA guidance for travelers advises arriving to the airport two hours prior to domestic flights and three hours before international. 

    Melanie Fish, a travel expert at the travel technology company Expedia Group, suggests another hack. She recommends that travelers book earlier flights. Referencing Expedia data, she says that planes flying out before 3 p.m. are less likely to see cancellations. 

    “Now is absolutely not the time to test the ‘airport theory’ by showing up 15 minutes before your flight departs,” Fish says. “Preparation is everything, so give yourself time, protect your investment, and travel smart.”

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    Melissa Angell

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  • FAA reports staffing issues at airports as government shutdown continues

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    The Federal Aviation Administration was experiencing staffing issues or anticipating shortages at airports and other air traffic control facilities in the United States on Monday night.

    Reports of the staffing shortfalls came hours after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that there has been a slight increase in sick calls since the government shutdown began.

    There were no air traffic controllers expected at the tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area for an hours-long stretch Monday night because of staffing issues, a source familiar with the situation said.

    The Federal Aviation Administration’s website showed the staffing issue between 4 p.m. and 9:59 p.m. PT (7 pm. Monday to 12:59 a.m. Tuesday ET).

    The source told NBC News that some air traffic will be handled by San Diego TRACON at a much-reduced rate — meaning arrival and departure delays are certain.

    A spokesperson for Hollywood Burbank Airport, a smaller airport in the Los Angeles area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

    Newark Liberty International Airport and Denver International Airport also experienced issues with air traffic control staffing Monday, according to the FAA’s website.

    A reason for the staffing problem at Hollywood Burbank was not clear.

    Because of the federal government shutdown, air traffic controllers were working without pay Monday.

    Duffy earlier said Monday that there has been an increase in sick calls since the government shut down and funding lapsed, but he said the increase was slight.

    “So, we’re tracking sick calls, sick leave, and have we had a slight tick up in sick calls? Yes, and then you’ll see delays that come from that,” Duffy told reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport.

    “Our priorities are safety. And so, if we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people,” he said.

    An FAA spokesperson Monday evening referred to Duffy’s earlier comments when asked about staffing at Burbank.

    “As Secretary Duffy said, there have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations,” the FAA spokesperson said.

    The National Air Traffic Controllers Association union pointed to a national shortage of air traffic controllers. Officials have warned about that shortage before the federal government shut down.

    “It is normal for a few air traffic controllers to call in sick on any given day, and this is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals,” the union said.

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    Jay Blackman and Phil Helsel | NBC News

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