How will FAA flight cuts impact Orlando airport?
The FAA has ordered airlines cut flight traffic by 10% on Friday amid the government shutdown which has stressed FAA flight controllers, who have gone a month without a paycheck. The flight cuts are planned for the 40 busiest airports, which reportedly includes Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport. Several airlines are offering passengers refunds and the ability to change their travel plans without a penalty.
ORLANDO, Fla. – The FAA has confirmed the 40 high-volume airports where it plans to reduce flights up to 10% to address fatigue with traffic controllers amid the ongoing government shutdown.
In a news release, the FAA said it has asked airlines to cut 4% of its flights to and from these airports beginning on Friday, Nov 7. That percentage slowly increases to 10% over the next week.
Four airports in Florida – Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale – are among the 40 impacted airports.
List of the impacted airports:Â
ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International AirportÂ
ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
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 AirportÂ
FAA timeline for flight restrictions Friday, Nov. 7: 4% reduction in flightsTuesday, Nov. 11: 6% reduction in flightsThursday, Nov. 13: 8% reduction in flightsFriday, Nov. 14: 10% reduction in flights What about international flights?
According to the FAA, international flights are not part of the emergency executive order. “Carriers may use their own discretion to decide which flights are canceled to reach the order’s goal,” the FAA said.
Have a flight coming up? Here’s what you need to know
The FAA said airlines are required to issue full refunds. Several airlines are allowing those with booked tickets to request refunds or change their flights without fees or penalties.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant did not have a statement or updated details posted to its website on Thursday evening. However, a spokesperson told FOX 35 via email Thursday morning that it did not anticipate any impacts to its network. If any issues popped up, it would notify those passengers.
Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska Air Group said it has adjusted its schedule and notified passengers on flights that have been canceled. It is also allowing flexible travel waivers for passengers. Click here for details.
“As we assessed the FAA’s directive and our schedule, we worked to ensure smaller and remote communities that are reliant upon air travel are protected. Most of our cancellations are on routes with a higher frequency of flights, allowing most guests to be reaccommodated with as little disruption as possible.”Â
American Airlines
American Airlines said it has begun to adjust its schedules, resulting in the cancellation of about 220 each day. American is waiving change fees and allowing full refunds for those who decide not to travel. Click here for details.Â
Delta Air Lines
Delta is allowing passengers to rebook their flights or request a full refund. Click here for details.Â
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines said it has completed its flight changes for those traveling on Friday or Saturday, Nov. 7 & 8, 2025. Impacted passengers have been contacted, the airline said.
Frontier is offering flexible change requests or refunds available as credit. Click here for details.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest said it canceled about 120 flights scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7, and anticipated canceling less than 100 on Saturday, Nov. 8.Â
Southwest is allowing people with flights booked through Wednesday, Nov. 12, to change their flights at no cost or to cancel their flight and receive a full refund. International flights are not impacted, the airline said.
United
United said it has completed its flight impacts for Friday-Sunday, Nov. 7-9, 2025. United said it is issuing travel waivers for those who decide not to travel. Click here for details.
“We’ll make rolling updates to our schedule if the government shutdown continues. United’s long-haul international flying will not be affected, nor will flights that connect our hub airports: Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark Liberty International, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.”
Flight on time, delayed, or canceled? Here’s how to check
Flight statuses can be viewed on MCO’s website, to check what flights are on time, delayed or canceled.Â
To check the status of your flight, officials recommend checking with the airline directly:
TSA Security Lines: Here’s the current wait at Orlando International Airport
Security wait times can be viewed on MCO’s website. The wait times – listed by gate – are subject to change.Â
Is Orlando Sanford International Airport affected?Â
Orlando Sanford International Airport was not on the FAA’s list. That airport is primarily home to Allegiant Airlines, which said it did not anticipate flight impacts to its network.
However, it is good to follow the normal travel precautions: check flight status with the airline, arrive at the airport hours before your flight, allowing time to check in and get through the security screening.
The Source: The information in this article is from the FAA’s Nov. 6 news release and emergency order, the individual airlines and their websites.