Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Flight cancellations and delays can upend even the best-laid travel plans, leaving passengers scrambling for solutions and clarity. In 2025, the U.S. government shutdown has triggered a wave of flight disruptions at major airports, making it more essential than ever for travelers to be proactive and informed.<\/p>\n If you are traveling soon, you should brace for airport delays, flight cancellations and last-minute schedule changes.\u00a0 Preparation is essential for minimizing disruption and protecting your rights as a passenger.<\/p>\n There are articles and social media videos\/posts sharing tips and each shares a slice of the puzzle so I wanted to gather and put them in a post. This blog guide shares tips preparing you with solutions if the shutdown throws obstacles in your way.<\/p>\n Starting November 7th, 2025,\u00a0 there was an FAA mandate ordering a 10% reduction of flights at 40 high-traffic U.S. airports<\/a>, including Los Angeles, Chicago O\u2019Hare, Denver <\/em>and New York City<\/em>. This is on top of the U.S. government shutdown that is affecting TSA and air traffic controllers who must show up at work to do their job, while not getting paid.<\/p>\n Clearly, this is not fair to these workers, so while your travel stress may be running high, remember to be kind to airport staff as this is a stressful time for all.<\/p>\n Table of Contents: What to Do if Your Flight is Cancelled or Delayed During Government Shutdown<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So you bought your ticket and your date is set. Before heading to the airport\u2026<\/p>\n Download, install and regularly check your airline\u2019s app to stay updated on delay notices, gate changes and alerts about staffing shortages that could impact security wait times. You should also be able to rebook your flight from the app. Turn on notifications for real-time updates.<\/p>\n Install and check the\u00a0MyTSA app<\/a> to see how long the TSA wait lines are. This can help give you a headstart in getting to the airport earlier.<\/p>\n Flight schedules may change with little warning. During the day before and day of your flight, you want to watch the status of your flight.<\/p>\n Aside from downloading your airlines app and My TSA app, there\u2019s a handy hack<\/strong><\/em> being shared on social media:<\/p>\n Text yourself your airline and flight number code (ie. HA332 or UA 379). When you receive your text, tap on it and all the flight details pop up instantly: gate changes, delays, even baggage claim info! <\/em><\/p>\n You can easily text this to your family member or friend so they can check into your flight status if they are picking you up.<\/em><\/p>\n Check your seat map using your mobile airline app or during online check-in. Flights with many empty seats have a better likeliness to be canceled<\/a>, whereas full flights are likely to be safe. You might be able to rebook immediately. Picking a nonstop or hub-to-hub flight can boost your chances of avoiding delays or cancellations.<\/p>\n Tip: The flights that seem likely to be affected are the U.S. domestic flights. The FAA cutback order does not name international<\/a> and long haul flights.<\/p>\n Airlines are providing extra flexibility, allowing changes or cancellations \u2013 even for non-refundable and basic economy fares \u2013 without penalty throughout the shutdown period. If you suspect your flight will be affected, consider proactively changing your travel plans.<\/p>\n Expect longer wait times and possible last-minute overnight stays due to flight changes, cancellations and delays. This doesn\u2019t only affect passengers stuck waiting in airports. I\u2019ve heard of passengers stuck on the tarmac for hours.<\/p>\n Check news updates and airline social media channels frequently as conditions can change rapidly in response to the ongoing shutdown.\u00a0 Download and check into your airlines mobile app for the latest flight and gate updates.<\/p>\n Read 10 Things you NEED to Know About Connecting Flights\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Whether you are using your credit card\u2019s free trip insurance or you bought personal travel insurance, check the fine print to see to what extent they cover cancellations and delays. Insurance plans may not cover government shutdowns, shortage of workers<\/a> or staffing strikes.<\/p>\n Instead, look for plans with coverage that can reimburse you for missed connections, extra hotel nights and non-refundable bookings if airlines classify the delay under other terms rather than \u201cgovernment shutdown\u201d.\u200bReview your policy\u2019s exclusions and claim filing requirements. Policies from leading providers can differ in what they actually cover during major events. Check out this trip insurance finder tool<\/a> to find your best match!<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve encountered a flight cancellation or delay, there\u2019s solutions to help you navigate the frustrating situation.<\/p>\n A handy site to know your passenger rights in the case of delays and cancellations is the DOT Travel Dashboard.<\/a> This is the U.S. Department of Transportation Airlines Cancellation and Delay Dashboard, that shows passenger rights for situations like \u201cmaintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling\u2026<\/em>\u201c<\/span>.<\/p>\n It updates you on the legal commitments each airlines has made about things like providing meal cash\/vouchers for delays, rebookings, cash refunds for cancellations, etc\u2026 Select the airlines you are flying with and it will let you know what that specific airline is committed to in compensatory damages, if the flight or delay is their fault.<\/p>\n Note: As this government shutdown <\/em>is not the airlines\u2019 fault, they are not offering meal vouchers or hotel stays or reimbursements for them.<\/p>\n If you are at the airport and your flight gets cancelled, airlines will offer no-fee rebooking onto the next available flight. If you decline rebooking, request a full refund instead.<\/p>\n Although you may request your airlines find you a booking on another airlines carrier, they are not legally obliged to do so<\/a> and if that other airlines flight falls gets cancelled, getting your cash refund gets complicated. It\u2019s best if you just accept a direct rebooking from your airlines or take the cash refund and rebook through another airlines yourself.<\/p>\n Some airlines like United Air offer travel waivers<\/a> if you want to reschedule your flight, you may do so up to six days in advance before your flight<\/a><\/strong>. They will waive your flight change fee, even if your flight has not been cancelled. Travel waivers are often reserved for emergency situations, such as natural disasters, political unrest or FAA mandated flight reductions<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed (3+ hours for departures within the U.S., 6+ hours for international itineraries), the new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule says you are legally entitled to an automatic cash refund rather than a credit or voucher, unless you choose the alternative.\u200b\u00a0 Airlines must offer refunds and cannot force you to accept travel credits. You are also allowed a refund on any baggage fees and seat upgrades. The one thing you will not be refunded or reimbursed are hotel stays and meals if you were delayed at the airport and chose to stay at a hotel or dine.<\/p>\n Insist on cash if preferred.\u00a0 The reason is that cash offers full and immediate access to your funds, flexibility and they do not expire nor are they bound to one airlines. Cash will allow you to choose other transportation alternatives, such as another airlines carrier or different mode of transportation.<\/p>\n Major airlines like Delta, United, American Air, etc.. are not reimbursing for hotels, car rentals, meals, or other incidental expenses during an FAA mandated shutdown. Expect not to be compensated for overnight stays or disruptions beyond your ticket refund.\u200b<\/p>\n Document all communications and changes with your airline, especially if you\u2019re offered alternative flights, credits, or refunds. Save receipts and file claims with travel insurance if your policy covers common carrier delays or cancellations, but do not expect coverage simply due to a government shutdown.\u200b<\/p>\n You want to or have to travel soon and are concerned about encountering the messiness at U.S. airports\u2026 You should be.<\/p>\n This tip is for international travelers looking at connecting routes in the U.S.<\/p>\n Now is not the time for that U.S. vacation to Disneyland or to visit your American friend in New York. Choose another route that does not stop in the U.S. As a female solo traveler, it breaks my heart to give this advice about my home country,\u00a0 which I love but\u2026<\/p>\n The United States is going through unpredictable and somewhat, volatile times\u2013 a government shutdown affecting travel in the crossfire, political unrest, a strong immigration deportation campaign (I\u2019ve even filmed safety tips about how to avoid going missing<\/em><\/a>\u2013 wink wink), foreign travelers have been denied entry<\/a> and they are checking phones and social media accounts,<\/a> almost as soon as you buy your flight ticket to the U.S.<\/p>\n Overall, there\u2019s just too much instability and risk, which can surmount in a lost vacation and investment.<\/p>\n Read about the strict changes to <\/span>airport immigration security<\/a> and\u00a0Tips for Choosing your Airport Layovers<\/a><\/p>\n Book directly through the airlines, so should anything go wrong, you can get service from the airlines itself. Booking through third party aggregator sites, make dealing with flight changes, cancellations and refunds difficult as your purchase is through the aggregator site and not the airlines itself. If your flight gets cancelled, you cannot rebook through the airlines, but must call Customer Support of the company you booked your deal on and they are not obliged to waive change fees. I\u2019ve definitely learned this the hard way in the past.<\/p>\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/grrrltraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/What-to-Do-if-Your-Flight-is-cancelled-or-delayed.png\")
<\/a>Download Airline App<\/span><\/h3>\n
Download the My TSA app<\/span><\/h3>\n
Monitor Schedule Changes<\/span><\/h3>\n
Spot vulnerable flights<\/span><\/h3>\n
Be Flexible<\/span><\/h3>\n
Pack Essentials (yes, that means food\/snacks)<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Stay informed<\/span><\/h3>\n
Check the fine print in your trip insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n
Know your Passenger Rights During Flight Cancellations & Delays<\/span><\/h2>\n
Visit the DOT Travel Dashboard<\/span><\/h3>\n
Rebooking<\/span><\/h3>\n
Travel Waivers<\/span><\/h3>\n
Accept the cash refunds<\/span><\/h3>\n
Hotel stays and other compensation<\/span><\/h3>\n
Document everything: Keep receipts and screenshots<\/span><\/h3>\n
Have backup plans<\/span><\/h3>\n
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How to Prepare: If you are booking a flight<\/span><\/h2>\n
Choose a route bypassing the U.S. if possible<\/span><\/h3>\n
Avoid booking through third party discount sites<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/grrrltraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/What-to-Do-if-Your-Flight-is-cancelled-or-delayed-2-150x150.png\")
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