URGENT UPDATE: United Airlines has just announced a 4% reduction in its flight schedule due to ongoing staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a situation exacerbated by the current government shutdown. This decision is expected to affect travelers in select markets starting today, October 8, 2025.
As delays continue to ripple across the nation for a third consecutive day, the FAA is grappling with severe staffing issues, leading to significant disruptions in flight operations. Major airlines, including Delta and American, are also reporting cancellations, with Delta already scrapping around 170 flights for today.
In an urgent statement to ABC News, United’s Chief Customer Officer, David Kinzelman, reassured passengers that the airline aims to minimize impact. “We are going to cancel about 4% of our schedule in certain markets over the next several days,” Kinzelman stated. He emphasized that these cancellations are proactive, allowing travelers to seek alternatives for their upcoming journeys.
Why This Matters NOW: With the holiday travel season approaching, these immediate changes could create chaos for thousands of passengers. Travelers flying from major hubs like Newark Liberty International Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport can expect some flights to be unaffected, as United and American focus on maintaining service to key destinations.
Experts recommend that travelers download the airlines’ apps for real-time notifications and easier rebooking options. Morning flights have been noted to have the least disruptions, giving passengers more time to find alternative arrangements if necessary.
Delta Air Lines is preparing for a quieter travel day on Saturday, with expectations that cancellations will decrease due to lower travel volumes. Meanwhile, American Airlines is set to cancel 220 flights daily through the weekend, notifying affected passengers as they navigate the turbulent scheduling landscape.
All three airlines have waived change and cancellation fees, allowing customers the option to receive refunds if they choose not to travel during this period. Kinzelman indicated that United Airlines is focusing on canceling flights where they operate multiple services, ensuring that they can accommodate passengers on remaining flights.
The FAA’s directive to reduce capacity at over 40 airports is a critical step, impacting more than 44,000 flights daily. “It’s going to be heavily chaotic because the FAA and DOT are giving airlines only 48 hours to start to make these changes,” said Henry Harvedelt, president of Atmosphere Research. The potential for ongoing schedule changes means that travelers should stay vigilant and prepared for last-minute alterations.
In a now-deleted LinkedIn post, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle advised travelers to book backup tickets with other airlines to avoid being stranded. He highlighted the risk of being left without options if flights are canceled.
As airlines brace for an unprecedented surge in travel, with estimates projecting 31 million flyers over the Thanksgiving holiday, these flight reductions come at a critical time. Passengers are encouraged to remain informed and flexible as the situation develops.
Travelers should keep an eye on updates from United, Delta, and American Airlines, as they continue to navigate this challenging landscape. The situation is fluid, and more changes are likely in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates as airlines strive to manage the fallout from the ongoing FAA staffing crisis.
