Traveling during the U.S. shutdown: rebooking, delays and insurance tips

Traveling during the U.S. shutdown has added an unpredictable layer to planning and in‑flight logistics. With federal aviation and security staff working without pay, routine timelines and on‑the‑ground services can change quickly, so preparation matters more than ever.

This article pulls together the latest operational facts and practical steps to help you rebook efficiently, document delays, and understand what travel insurance or credit card protections may , or may not , cover. Use these checkpoints to reduce disruption and protect yourself financially.

Snapshot of the disruption

The operational picture in October 2025 shows the FAA and TSA still running essential services, but staffing is strained. Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 TSA officers were reported working without pay, which raises the risk of flow restrictions, longer security lines, and occasional localized closures.

Early analytics and news tallies documented thousands of delays in the first weeks of the lapse, with short windows showing figures like 12,000+ and 22,000+ delayed flights, even while around 90 to 92 percent of flights initially remained on time. Expect volatility to grow if the funding lapse continues.

Regulators have already taken targeted safety steps: the FAA has slowed takeoffs or reduced arrival rates at affected airports and centers to preserve safety margins. Those flow restrictions, applied in places such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, and Atlanta area centers, are deliberate and cause cascading delays across the network.

Airport operations and passenger experience

TSA has publicly urged patience and warned travelers about longer lines and uneven checkpoint operations. Some terminals have seen intermittent closures when call‑outs spiked, and travelers should not assume every checkpoint will operate at full capacity.

FAA and union leaders have emphasized safety and noted fatigue and absenteeism among unpaid controllers and screeners. That means airport wait times and traffic patterns can change with little notice, and management may use conservative staffing thresholds that slow operations.

For passengers, that translates to irregular screening times, possible localized tower constraints, and the need to arrive earlier than normal. Media and agency guidance has recommended arriving two to three hours early for departures to avoid missing flights due to checkpoint or flow delays.

Rebooking, refunds, and airline policies

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires carriers to refund passengers for significant schedule changes or cancellations when the airline cancels service. That rule remains an important baseline if your flight is outright canceled by the carrier.

However, federal rules do not compel airlines to pay cash compensation, meals, or hotels for delays caused by extraordinary or uncontrollable events. Many carriers post voluntary commitments for rebooking, meals, or lodging on their contract of carriage or on DOT dashboards, so read the airline’s current posted policy before assuming entitlements.

Airline responses are mixed. Trade groups and some industry leaders called for patience, and at least one passenger survey noted that Delta waived a standard $200 domestic change fee early in the event, while other major carriers continued to charge normal fees. Southwest has a no change fee policy but still may require you to cover any fare difference. Confirm each carrier’s policy before making decisions.

Practical rebooking steps and at‑airport checklist

If your flight is delayed or canceled, act quickly and document everything. The fastest rebooking path is usually the airline app or website. If that fails, try the airline phone line, your travel agent or OTA if you booked that way, or the airline’s social media desk, which can sometimes provide faster responses than phone hold times.

When rebooking, favor nonstop routings or earlier flights to reduce connection risk, and keep screenshots and confirmation numbers for any rebooking, refund, or voucher offers. If stranded at the airport, ask the carrier for a written delay or cancellation code and request any promised assistance such as rebooking or meals per that airline’s policy.

Practical checklist items include enrolling in airline alerts, tracking flights on FlightAware or the carrier app, arriving 2 to 3 hours early for departures, choosing refundable or flexible fares if possible, and considering alternate transport such as rail or driving for vulnerable itineraries.

Travel insurance, CFAR, and credit card protections

Most standard travel insurance policies historically do not treat a government shutdown itself as a covered reason for cancellation or delay. Typical policies cover mechanical issues, weather, or named events listed in the policy, but not broad federal funding lapses unless explicitly included.

Cancel For Any Reason, or CFAR, is the primary workaround for shutdown‑related cancellations, but it carries important caveats. CFAR plans usually reimburse a portion of nonrefundable costs, commonly 50 to 75 percent, require purchase within a short window after booking (often 10 to 21 days), and require cancellation a specified number of days before departure. CFAR is costlier and timing sensitive, so check exact plan rules before buying.

Many premium credit cards offer trip‑delay or trip‑cancellation benefits if you bought the fare or hotel on the card, but coverages vary widely and often have time and documentation thresholds. If you used a card, consult its benefit guide and file claims promptly according to the card’s timelines.

Documentation, ground operators, and escalation

If you incur meals, lodging, or transportation because of a shutdown‑related delay, save every receipt and get written confirmation from the carrier or airport. Insurers, airlines, and card issuers typically require documentation such as merchant receipts and official delay or cancellation codes to process reimbursements or goodwill credits.

Private concessionaires and tour operators tied to federal sites have taken varying approaches. Some ground operators at national parks announced refund or prorated stay policies for closures or service suspensions, but hotel and tour operator responses differ. If your trip involves national parks or federal attractions, verify the operator’s current status and refund policy before travel.

If you exhaust airline remedies at the airport with no satisfactory resolution, request written confirmation of the carrier’s position and then consider filing a DOT consumer complaint. Keep copies of all communications and receipts, as DOT reviews often rely on the documentation you provide with your claim.

What to watch next and contingency planning

Operational risk can change quickly when payroll dates for controllers or screener staff pass and if Congress does not act. If the shutdown ends, backlog and rescheduling will still take days to normalize; if it continues, expect more airports or centers to report flow restrictions and expanded slowdowns.

Monitor official channels daily including DOT, FAA, TSA, and your airline for service advisories and operational updates. Also watch industry reporting for indicators such as missed pay dates, increased call‑outs, and new FAA traffic flow restrictions that predict worsening delays.

Finally, build contingency into any travel involving tight connections or time‑sensitive plans. Consider flexible fares, alternative transportation, and a written plan for documenting expenses and pursuing refunds. That combination of preparedness and documentation is the best protector during uncertain operations.

In short, traveling during the U.S. shutdown requires extra time, extra documentation, and extra patience. The FAA, TSA, and airlines are taking steps to prioritize safety while working under strain, but individual travelers will often need to take the lead on rebooking and claims.

Follow the practical steps in this article, confirm airline and operator policies before you travel, and keep receipts and written confirmations for any expenses. That approach will give you the best chance of minimizing disruption and recovering costs if the shutdown affects your plans.