Overview
- Airlines are launching a phased reduction from roughly 4% on Friday to as much as 10% if required, according to federal officials.
- American plans about 220 cancellations per day through the weekend, United expects fewer than 200 on Friday and Saturday, and Delta projects around 170 on Friday.
- Long‑haul international routes and many hub‑to‑hub services remain largely exempt, with cuts concentrated on domestic and regional flights that do not connect hubs.
- FAA leaders cite a shortfall of about 2,000 controllers and elevated absenteeism, with tens of thousands of aviation and security staff working without pay.
- Impacted locations include the three New York and three Washington airports as well as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Dallas.