Tag: faa flight delays

Travelers across the country have been hit with longer airport check-in lines, flight delays and now cancellations amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 7, The Federal Aviation Administration is cutting air traffic by 10% across 40 of the busiest airports in the country to both maintain travel safety and relieve stress on air traffic controllers going unpaid, The News & Observer previously reported.

So far, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the only North Carolina airport forced to cut flights, though airport officials said they have not been notified of any reductions yet, The Charlotte Observer reported.

RDU officials don’t know which or how many flights might be canceled, but “there will be impacts,” said Bill Sandifer, the airport’s executive vice president.

Still, there are some things travelers can do to prepare for any potential disruptions:

1. Arrive early (and prepare for potential delays)

Travelers are generally encouraged to arrive to airports early with enough time to account for parking and shuttle transportation, airline check-in and security screening.

RDU officials recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours in advance for international flights.

Check-in deadlines can vary depending on the airline and airport, according to TSA, but in “most cases, you must be at the gate no later than 10 to 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for domestic flights. For international flights this deadline may be 45 minutes or longer.”

So with potential delays, it could be useful to build in additional time to your travel plans.

With the ongoing shutdown, RDU recommends “travelers stay in close communication with their airline and check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.”

It’s also encouraged to download your airline’s app with your updated contact information to receive real-time notifications about any flight impacts.

2. Know your refund rights for delays, cancellations

Each airline has its own policies on providing refunds for flight delays and cancellations, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

But travelers are “entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.”

“If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on their first flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge. If this involves a significant delay, find out if another carrier has space and ask the first airline if they will endorse your ticket to the other carrier,” the department’s website states.

“If the purpose of your trip is to close a potentially lucrative business deal, give a speech or lecture, attend a family function, or connect to a cruise, you might want to allow a little extra leeway and take an earlier flight. In other words, airline delays aren’t unusual, and defensive planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration.”

3. Figure out an alternate route early

Can you reach your destination by car, bus or train? Sort out a plan B ahead of time to avoid any last-minute scrambles.

Many airlines, including Delta and American Airlines, are contacting customers directly. Though the FAA announced it will have limited communications due to the lapse in funding, you can get the latest updates for every airport online at fly.faa.gov.

The News & Observer’s Richard Stradling contributed to this story.

This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM.