(NEWARK (OR NEWARK LIBERTY)) More than 185 flight cancellations and about 6,440 delays hit major U.S. airports on October 26–27, 2025, as the ongoing government shutdown and air traffic controller staffing shortages slowed traffic nationwide. Newark Liberty led the crunch with average waits of 82 minutes, while San Francisco averaged 44 minutes as ground stops and ground delays rippled across the United States 🇺🇸.
Airports reported widespread slowdowns from Newark (EWR) and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Honolulu (HNL), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Miami (MIA), Atlanta (ATL), and Los Angeles (LAX). Boston (BOS), San Francisco (SFO), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Orlando (MCO), and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) also saw significant disruptions. Carriers affected included Republic, Spirit, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska, and others, with airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration slowing or stopping traffic at different times to keep operations safe.
Officials and airline operations teams pointed to three main drivers: the government shutdown, which is 26 days old as of October 26; air traffic controller staffing shortages; and weather. Those factors, along with compacted demand and traffic management steps, made certain hubs especially vulnerable when multiple constraints hit at peak times, according to analysis by VisaVerge.com.
Staffing and safety impacts
The staffing strain is central. With the shutdown still in place, many air traffic controllers have missed paychecks, and absenteeism has risen. That has forced tighter spacing between flights and, at times, full pauses in arrivals or departures.
To maintain safety with fewer personnel, some towers and centers:
- Issued ground stops or delays (notably at Newark, Boston, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco)
- Increased spacing between aircraft
- Imposed temporary pauses on arrivals or departures
These measures reduce risk but also lower throughput, leading to longer gate holds, delayed departures, and the potential for flights to be rolled to later times.
With fewer certified controllers per shift and mandatory fatigue rules still in effect, supervisors must space flights to maintain safe separation. That reduces capacity and increases the chance of follow-on delays once peak banks slip.
Ongoing risk and operational tactics
As of October 27, 2025, the disruptions are ongoing, and risk remains high for more flight cancellations and delays if the shutdown continues and staffing levels don’t recover. Airlines are pacing departures and arrivals, sometimes holding flights at gates, to prevent gridlock on taxiways and in the air.
Airlines and the FAA used several traffic-management tools to balance safety and throughput:
- Miles-in-trail restrictions
- Departure metering
- Reroutes
- Ground stops
When multiple hubs adopt these tools simultaneously, delays can cascade — especially for connecting passengers and at large, complex hubs.
Scope of disruptions
- Newark (EWR): Ground delays; average delay 82 minutes
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW): Delays and intermittent ground stops
- Honolulu (HNL): Delays
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Delays
- Miami (MIA): Delays
- Atlanta (ATL): Delays
- Los Angeles (LAX): Ground stop and delays
- Boston (BOS): Ground stop
- San Francisco (SFO): Ground delay; average delay 44 minutes
Across these airports and others, carriers such as Republic, Spirit, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska and additional airlines reported operational issues as staffing and traffic management limits lowered the number of flights that could safely move at once.
Passenger experiences and operational consequences
At Newark Liberty, the impact was sharpest during the busiest periods. Lines at security and boarding gates lengthened as staggered boarding and revised departure slots took hold. Some airports recovered quickly after ground stops cleared, while others faced “knock-on” delays that stretched into the evening as crews and aircraft ended up out of place.
Practical consequences included:
- Longer gate holds and flights pushed later in the day
- Higher odds that late arrivals would miss departure windows and be rescheduled
- Crews timing out on duty limits, forcing aircraft swaps or cancellations
- Rebooking that prioritized preserving long-haul segments while changing short feeders
What travelers should do
- Check your flight status often. Use airline apps and text alerts; conditions can change within minutes, especially when ground stops are issued.
- Know your refund rights. If your flight is canceled, you’re entitled to a prompt refund. Review the U.S. Department of Transportation’s airline commitments at the DOT dashboard: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-customer-service-dashboard
- Contact your airline for rebooking options. Policies on meal vouchers, hotel stays, and rebooking vary by carrier.
- Verify before you leave for the airport. Some airports posted rolling delays of 15–30 minutes, while others had far longer holds.
- Follow real-time updates. Use your airline’s social feeds and website; the FAA also posts status information reflecting traffic management steps.
Passengers reported mixed experiences: some secured same-day rebookings, others accepted next-day departures. Because controller shortages limit how many flights can safely operate, airlines often cannot add capacity even if demand exists — making early alerts and flexible planning essential.
Guidance and outlook
The Department of Transportation has reminded carriers to update passengers promptly about delays and flight cancellations, and reminded consumers they can request refunds for canceled flights rather than accepting vouchers.
VisaVerge.com warns that if the shutdown persists, travelers should prepare for continued irregular operations. Recommended strategies include:
- Booking longer connections
- Choosing earlier flights when possible
- Keeping backup routes in mind
- Keeping contact details current in reservation profiles for automatic rebooking messages
Experts advise patience and preparation: keep your plans flexible, know your refund rights, and watch for changes before leaving for the airport. With flight cancellations still possible and air traffic controller staffing shortages unresolved until the government shutdown ends, the system will likely remain tight in the days ahead.
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 26–27, 2025, U.S. airports faced significant disruptions: over 185 flight cancellations and about 6,440 delays. The 26-day government shutdown worsened existing air traffic controller staffing shortages, forcing the FAA and airlines to impose ground stops, increased spacing, miles-in-trail restrictions, departure metering and reroutes to maintain safety. Newark Liberty experienced the longest average delays at 82 minutes; San Francisco averaged 44 minutes. Major hubs from DFW to LAX reported cascading effects that lengthened gate holds, caused crew timing-out and forced rebookings. Travelers are advised to monitor flight status, understand DOT refund rights, and plan longer connections as disruptions may continue if the shutdown persists.
