The cutbacks in air travel ordered this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation signal a worsening situation for U.S. air travelers as the effects of the government shutdown pile up. The 10% cuts that are taking effect now are just a recognition of the growing crisis at airports.
The next days will clarify the exact cuts to which flights, but it may be only the beginning as more unpaid TSA security workers find other work, leading to hours-long jams at airport security and more air traffic controllers do the same now that they’ve missed two paychecks. Those controllers still at work can’t take up all the slack, even with overtime, because of safety and exhaustion issues; that’s the main reason behind the order to reduce flights.
Airlines will be reaching out directly to affected travelers whose flights are canceled to make other arrangements, but most airlines are also offering more lenient change and cancelation rules for now, to encourage customers to pro-actively reduce the load.
- American Airlines says “customers whose flights are cancelled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund, without any penalty.”
- Delta has started by allowing Travelers booked on flights between Nov. 7 and 9 to rebook on a flight departing now and Nov. 16 without paying any difference in fare; that will also apply to basic economy. The time frame is likely to be extended as the limits continue.
- United is offering a waiver allowing cancelation or change without fare difference for a flight 6 days either side of the original date
