(NEW YORK (JFK) AND LOS ANGELES (LAX)) Premium flyers at two of the country’s busiest hubs were told Tuesday that the extra speed they paid for is off the table. As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, the Transportation Security Administration has suspended premium security lanes at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, forcing Delta One and first class customers into standard lines as of October 29, 2025. Delta confirmed the change and said the airline-specific screening queues it staffs in coordination with TSA are inactive until further notice.
What changed at JFK and LAX
“Exclusive screening lanes for Delta One customers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport aren’t currently active,” Delta said in a statement, acknowledging that the federal staffing crunch has hit the premium operation first.
These lanes normally let business class and elite flyers bypass general security, a perk that can save half an hour or more during peak periods. With the shutdown, TSA is focusing limited manpower on keeping the main checkpoints open and safe, sidelining extras that depend on additional staffing.
Why premium lanes were suspended
Industry observers say the decision follows a clear triage logic.
“TSA isn’t able to maintain all services at full capacity when employees don’t all come to work. So when TSA is short staffed, they’ll cut the airline specific lines before they cut the general line even if they lose more revenue.” — travel analyst Gary Leff
Key factors:
- TSA and FAA staff are classified as essential and must report even without pay.
- Missed wages are driving some officers to seek temporary jobs or call in sick, shrinking available staffing.
- When the shutdown stretches beyond two weeks, absenteeism rises and officers can become overwhelmed.
Former TSA officer Caleb Harmon-Marshall: “If a shutdown exceeds two weeks, officers start to get frantic, and they stop going to work.” That is when suspended premium services and mounting delays tend to hit travelers hardest.
Timeline and scope of the shutdown’s impact
- Shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, after lawmakers failed to pass a funding bill.
- By late October, TSA and air traffic control staff were working mandatory overtime, with reports of 10-hour days and six-day weeks.
- As of October 28, 2025, essential personnel missed their first paycheck.
- The U.S. Travel Association estimates the stalemate could cost the U.S. economy about $1 billion a week, a figure that can worsen when security slowdowns cause missed connections and cancellations.
Passenger experiences and reactions
At JFK’s Terminal 4, where Delta funnels most long-haul traffic, business class passengers arriving early Tuesday found roped-off entrances where the premium lane signage usually stands.
A frequent flyer from San Francisco, traveling onward to London, said the change wiped out the reason he booked the higher fare: “I paid for Delta One because the trip is tight and I count on that fast lane,” he said, declining to give his name while waiting in a standard queue. “I get why TSA is short, but it feels like we’re paying more for less.”
At LAX, Delta has promoted a “curb-to-club” path for Delta One flyers that relies on quicker bag drops and faster security. With premium security lanes down, staff directed business class passengers into the general TSA line, and agents advised travelers to arrive earlier than usual.
A family returning from Tokyo via LAX described missing a domestic connection after spending 70 minutes in a general line. “We thought the Delta One lane would shave that time,” the father said. “We’ll rethink our plans if this keeps up.”
Which airlines are affected
- As of October 29, 2025, Delta confirmed its lanes at JFK and LAX are inactive.
- American Airlines and United Airlines had not reported halts to their special queues as of that date, though airline officials warned airport-specific setups can change hourly depending on local staffing.
In practice, whether a carrier’s premium lane stays open depends on whether TSA has enough officers to staff both regular and dedicated lanes. Local teams may reassign staff or change overtime priorities throughout the day.
Labor activity and staffing signs
Union actions and staffing strain:
- Members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association staged informational pickets at 22 airports on October 28, 2025 to highlight staffing and safety concerns.
- Controllers and TSA officers reported extended shifts and increased fatigue.
- Fewer available hands mean fewer open lanes, longer shift holds, and lower morale.
Patterns from past shutdowns
Analysis by VisaVerge.com shows a pattern in multi-week shutdowns:
- Week 1: Little visible change.
- Week 2: Secondary services (e.g., TSA PreCheck recruitment) begin slowing.
- Weeks 3–4: Perks such as premium security lanes are often the first to be cut.
The site notes that while elite benefits are a small part of operations, their removal signals broader strains that can cascade into missed flights and erratic wait times.
Traveler guidance and official resources
TSA has urged travelers to:
- Give themselves more time at airports affected by staffing swings.
- Pack carefully to avoid secondary checks that further slow lines.
For official updates and traveler guidance during funding lapses, TSA refers the public to the Transportation Security Administration website. While TSA doesn’t provide airport-by-airport forecasts, local social media feeds often post real-time wait estimates, and airlines push alerts when checkpoint operations change.
Policy implications and what’s next
- There is broad agreement that these lanes will return once funding is restored. The timeline, however, is uncertain and hinges on Congress and the White House reaching a budget agreement.
- Business travelers are already changing behavior: padding schedules, switching to less congested flights or airports, and avoiding tight connections that rely on premium shortcuts.
- Until a deal ends the government shutdown, the suspended premium security lanes at JFK and LAX remain a visible sign that a political impasse now affects travelers at the checkpoint.
This Article in a Nutshell
The government shutdown, now in its fourth week, has forced TSA to suspend Delta One premium security lanes at JFK and LAX starting October 29, 2025. With essential staff working mandatory overtime and missing paychecks as of October 28, absenteeism rose and secondary services were cut to keep main checkpoints open. Travelers experienced long waits—reportedly up to 70 minutes—and missed connections. TSA advises arriving earlier and packing to avoid secondary checks. The premium lanes will return once funding is restored, contingent on congressional action.
