(UNITED STATES) United Airlines said on November 5, 2025, it will offer refunds to customers whose travel is derailed by new flight restrictions tied to the ongoing government shutdown, after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered steep cuts to air traffic. CEO Scott Kirby said affected customers will be able to get their money back, as the FAA begins a phased 4% reduction on Friday, November 7, rising to 10% next week across 40 high‑volume airports in the United States 🇺🇸.
The cuts follow air traffic control staffing shortages and safety concerns that have deepened as the shutdown reached its 35th day on November 4, the longest in U.S. history, according to statements referenced by The airline. United said the schedule reductions ordered by the FAA will scrap thousands of flights each day for as long as the shutdown continues. In response, Scott Kirby pledged refunds for canceled flights and for trips significantly disrupted by those FAA‑mandated limits.
Who is eligible for refunds
United’s policy outlines clear refund eligibility tied to FAA‑mandated disruptions:
- Domestic flights: eligible for a refund if delayed by at least three hours.
- International flights: eligible after six hours of delay.
- Canceled flights: passengers may request a refund to the original form of payment rather than rebooking.
United added that, if a customer no longer wants to travel on a disrupted flight, they are eligible for a refund to their original payment method.
“United Airlines customers with flights booked to travel during the government shutdown will be eligible for a refund,” Kirby said, framing the move as both a service promise and recognition that the airline cannot control federally required schedule cuts.
Refund processing times and how to request
United provided timelines and methods for refund processing:
- Credit card refunds: processed within seven business days.
- Other payment methods: completed within 20 business days of a request.
Customers can request refunds through:
- United’s website refund form.
- The “My Trips” tool on United’s site.
The airline’s public materials reiterate: “If you no longer want to travel on the disrupted flight, you’re eligible for a refund to your original form of payment.”
FAA reductions: timeline and scope
The FAA announced capacity reductions to maintain safety amid controller shortages:
- Phase 1: 4% cut starting Friday, November 7.
- Phase 2: rising to 10% the following week.
- Affected markets: 40 large U.S. markets.
The agency said these steps are needed to keep operations stable and avoid overloading towers and centers. It did not specify how long the directive will remain in place, leaving the travel outlook uncertain while lawmakers remain at an impasse.
Industry impact and carrier responses
United’s pledge is one of the clearest refund commitments by a major carrier since the FAA reductions were announced. Key implications:
- Puts pressure on other airlines to match refund approaches.
- Forces travelers to weigh keeping plans versus seeking refunds amid rolling cancellations.
- Airports in the 40 targeted markets — many where United is a major operator — could see thousands of affected customers daily.
Airlines often offer waivers to change travel plans, but Scott Kirby’s announcement was explicit about cash refunds rather than steering customers toward rebooking.
Operational and passenger consequences
- The schedule squeeze is driven by federal constraints on available takeoffs and landings, not airline staffing or passenger demand.
- A prolonged shutdown with the cap at 10% would widen daily impacts, requiring carriers to thin schedules and reassign crews with little notice.
- United did not set a cap on refund eligibility beyond the delay/cancellation thresholds, a notable departure from typical airline preference for rebooking.
Passengers are advised to monitor flight status and check emails for updates. United said automated alerts will flag major changes.
Safety rationale from the FAA
The FAA emphasized the reductions are necessary to maintain safety given fewer certified controllers during the funding lapse. The agency’s statement framed the cuts as a measure to avoid overloading towers and centers and to keep operations stable while staffing remains limited.
External analysis and guidance
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com:
- The combination of 4% to 10% capacity cuts and refund guarantees is likely to drive a surge in customer contacts as travelers seek clarity.
- Refund timelines of seven business days (credit cards) and 20 business days (other methods) align with industry norms and federal guidance.
For official updates on the FAA’s operating posture during the shutdown, travelers can check the Federal Aviation Administration: https://www.faa.gov.
Current outlook
As of November 6, 2025, there was no deal in Congress to end the shutdown, and FAA reductions were set to build the following week. Scott Kirby’s pledge provides a clear consumer-facing policy in an otherwise uncertain environment, giving passengers a defined option if their travel is disrupted by FAA‑ordered cuts.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines pledged refunds for customers whose travel is disrupted by FAA‑mandated capacity cuts tied to the government shutdown. The FAA will implement a phased 4% reduction starting November 7, rising to 10% the following week across 40 major U.S. markets. United set refund rules: domestic delays of at least three hours, international delays of six hours, and canceled flights qualify. Credit card refunds will process within seven business days; other methods within 20. Travelers should monitor flight status and use United’s website or My Trips to request refunds.
