Flights to be cut at LAX, other CA airports
Starting Friday, five California airports, including LAX, will see a 10% reduction in flights as a result of the government shutdown. The FAA says the cuts are necessary to ensure travel safety.
LOS ANGELES – Massive travel disruptions begin Friday, November 7 as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces a major reduction in flight offerings across the nation’s largest airports—including hubs here in California—to maintain air safety during the government shutdown.
Local perspective:
A list of 40 affected airports operating at reduced capacity includes five in California.Â
The airports affected in California are:
Los Angeles International (LAX)Oakland International (OAK)Ontario International (ONT)San Diego International (SAN)San Francisco International (SFO)
Big picture view:
U.S. airlines began canceling hundreds of flights Thursday due to the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce traffic at the country’s busiest airports starting Friday because of the government shutdown.
Nearly 500 flights scheduled for Friday were already cut nationwide, and the number of cancellations climbed throughout Thursday afternoon, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.
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That’s more than four times the number of flights canceled on Thursday.
The FAA has ordered airlines to phase in a 10% reduction in their flight schedules at 40 of the busiest airports across more than two dozen states. The disruptions will affect service at many smaller airports, too.
According to the US Department of Transportation, the reduction will be done in phases. A 4% reduction in operations will take effect Friday, November 7, ramping up to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and 10% by November 14.Â
The flight reductions coming just weeks before the busy holiday season have travelers already changing their plans or looking at other options.
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The backstory:
The FAA said Wednesday it would reduce air traffic by 10% across “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the shutdown.
It’s imposing the reductions to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the shutdown and have been increasingly calling off work. The move also comes as the Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Democrats in Congress to end the shutdown.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills unless they call out.
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The FAA in recent weeks has delayed flights when airports or its other facilities are short on controllers.
What you can do:
Travelers can expect to see fewer flights to many major U.S. cities starting Friday morning. The order does not require a reduction in international flights.Â
Here is what to know about the cutbacks and what to do if your trip is delayed or canceled:
Will I hear from my airline?
Passengers should start to get notified about cancellations on Thursday. Airlines say they will try to minimize the impact on their customers, some of whom will see weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice.
Is my airport on the list?
The affected airports cover more than two dozen states across the country. They include the nation’s busiest airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, as well as the main airports in Anchorage, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Boston, and Anchorage.
Check before going to the airport
It is better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stranded in an airport terminal, so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure that your flight is still on before heading to the airport. This FAA site can be checked to see if there are widespread delays at your airport.
My flight was canceled. Now what?
If you are already at the airport, it is time to find another flight. Get in line to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It can also help to reach out on X because airlines might respond quickly there.
Consider other travel options
Now might be the time to consider if it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus instead.
Can I get compensation?
Airlines will be required to issue full refunds, however, they are not required to cover secondary costs, according to the US Department of Transportation. U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation or to cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments that each carrier makes for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.
Other tips
Travel insurance also might help if you bought a policy when you booked or used a travel credit card that offers that product. Check the fine print to see if you are covered in situations like this when a shortage of workers causes flight disruptions.
 If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has a higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, call using their frequent flyer number. You may get quicker service.
You also can try calling your airline’s international support number, which is usually listed online and may have shorter wait times.
Full list of affected airports
ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International AirportÂ
ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportÂ
BOS – Boston Logan International AirportÂ
BWI – Baltimore/Washington International AirportÂ
CLT – Charlotte Douglas International AirportÂ
CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International AirportÂ
DAL – Dallas Love FieldÂ
DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National AirportÂ
DEN – Denver International AirportÂ
DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International AirportÂ
DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County AirportÂ
EWR – Newark Liberty International AirportÂ
FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International AirportÂ
HNL – Honolulu International AirportÂ
HOU – William P. Hobby AirportÂ
IAD – Washington Dulles International AirportÂ
IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental AirportÂ
IND – Indianapolis International AirportÂ
JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International AirportÂ
LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International AirportÂ
LAX – Los Angeles International AirportÂ
LGA – New York LaGuardia AirportÂ
MCO – Orlando International AirportÂ
MDW – Chicago Midway International AirportÂ
MEM – Memphis International AirportÂ
MIA – Miami International AirportÂ
MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International AirportÂ
OAK – Oakland International AirportÂ
ONT – Ontario International AirportÂ
ORD – Chicago O’Hare International AirportÂ
PDX – Portland International AirportÂ
PHL – Philadelphia International AirportÂ
PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International AirportÂ
SAN – San Diego International AirportÂ
SDF – Louisville International AirportÂ
SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International AirportÂ
SFO – San Francisco International AirportÂ
SLC – Salt Lake City International AirportÂ
TEB – Teterboro AirportÂ
TPA – Tampa International Airport
The Source: This report is based on direct orders and statements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding its decision to reduce air traffic at 40 high-volume airports due to air traffic controller staffing strain during the government shutdown. Data on the number of canceled flights and affected airports comes from the flight tracking website FlightAware. A statement an list of airports was provided by the US Department of Transportation. The Associated Press contributed.