How to claim a refund for your plane ticket after flight delays and cancellations caused by the government shutdown

It’s been 40 days since the U.S. government shut down. With Congress showing little sign of reaching a budget deal anytime soon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented measures that will affect hundreds of thousands of travelers, as normal operations are impossible without sufficient staffing.

According to FAA administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, starting November 7, air traffic will be reduced at 40 airports nationwide, leading to mass cancellations and thousands of delayed flights.

“This is not a political decision—it’s about assessing the data and reducing the risk of having air traffic controllers working without pay,” the officials said. “We have to take unprecedented steps because we’re in an unprecedented situation with the government shutdown,” they added.

How to claim a refund for your plane ticket after delays and cancellations caused by the shutdown

Travelers began receiving cancellation and delay notices as early as Thursday, November 7. Airlines such as United, Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines say they’re cutting flight frequencies to limit disruption, though last-minute changes are inevitable.

Most carriers are offering extra flexibility during this period, allowing passengers to change flights, cancel, or request refunds without penalties. All you need to do is contact your airline directly.

If your flight is canceled and you choose not to rebook, federal law requires airlines to issue a full refund—even if your ticket was sold as “nonrefundable.” The reasoning is simple: the cause of disruption is beyond the passenger’s control, as it stems from the government shutdown.

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