As the government shutdown comes to a close, flight delays and cancellations are still affecting airports nationwide. This can lead to stress about getting to your destination and making sure that your trip plans don’t get interrupted.
Here is what you should know about the government shutdown and the actions you can take as a passenger.
How is the Government Shutdown Affecting Air Travel?
As a result of the government shutdown, thousands of federal employees and workers who are deemed “essential” are facing furloughs or asked to work without pay. This affects staffing levels at airports, including air traffic controllers and TSA employees. The absence of air traffic controllers has caused delays in many airports, such as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
On Friday, Nov. 7, the FAA announced an order that there will be a reduction in air traffic at 40 of the busiest airports in the United States. Since then, thousands of flights nationwide are facing significant delays and some flight cancellations. At Los Angeles International Airport, roughly 271 flights have been canceled since Nov. 7, which is just 3% of its flights being canceled. Meanwhile, Chicago O’Hare International Airport saw 11% of its flights canceled.
During the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted about 35 days, hit airports nationwide with heavily delayed flights and potentially longer airport security lines. We are seeing the same thing happening now with the 2025 government shutdown. The decision made by 10 air traffic controllers in the East Coast to call out sick actually contributed to the end of the 2019 shutdown. Their absence temporarily shut down travel at LaGuardia airport in New York and caused delays in other major areas, including airports in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Even though the government shut down is over, canceled and delayed flights will not just suddenly stop, airlines warn.
While all of the news about flight delays and cancellations due to the government shutdown may seem daunting, there are proactive steps you can take to ease this process and make the most of this situation.
Keep an eye on the status of your flight
If you have a flight during the shutdown, it is recommended to opt-in text alerts and notifications via the airline’s app for real-time status updates on your flight. You can also check the status of your flight’s departure and arrival time through the airports’ websites.
Staying informed and ready to adjust your plans is one of the most effective ways to handle unexpected flight cancellations or delays. There are stronger solutions for a better peace of mind in these situations like travel insurance, but even without it, tools like airline apps and airport websites provide real-time updates that help you keep an eye on any changes.
Arrive at the airport earlier to combat delays
While the general rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport two hours before your flight departure time, you might want to consider arriving at least two and a half hours for domestic flights, and three to three and a half hours for international flights to combat any potential delays. Due to the staffing shortage, travelers can face longer lines, slower processing times, and potential checkpoint closures.
Giving yourself that extra time for unpredictability can give you a greater peace of mind in making sure that you do not miss your flight to any security delays.
What to Know About Visiting National Parks During the Shutdown
With many national parks being a popular spot for winter, most travelers are starting to face blocks and delays as they make their way over. No matter how you are getting there, it is important to remember that national parks are run entirely by government agencies, meaning lots of potential for delays or cancellations during this shutdown.
If you plan to visit a national park during a government shutdown, it is best to check on whether or not your destination is open. While most national parks and monuments remain open, some services may be restricted due to staffing shortages. Facilities that require staffing, such as visitor centers and fee-collection booths, mostly remain closed.
However, bathrooms and other general health and safety operations such as trash pickups will remain operational. It is recommended to visit the U.S. National Park Service website to check on the status of parks and monuments that you plan to visit.
Should You Buy Travel Insurance Right Now?
One solution that may come to mind for many travelers is travel insurance. Great idea! Travel insurance is a strong option to help protect you in the face of travel mishaps, especially if you’re traveling during times of heightened delays and roadblocks.
Many travelers are finding travel insurance well worth the investment. The benefits that come with trip insurance are specifically designed to protect travelers in the face of mishaps and interruptions. Specifically, keep an eye out for plans with strong trip delay and interruption protection.
Things to Keep in Mind
Travel insurance is meant for when things don’t go as planned. If you purchased your policy and booked your trip before the government shutdown was announced on September 30, 2025, you could be eligible for stronger coverage.
If you purchased travel insurance after the announcement, you are still well protected. However, it’s good to keep in mind that purchasing travel insurance last minute can play into your claims experience.
Every insurance company and policy handles shutdown related mishaps differently. Before you decide on an insurance plan, read the policy details to make sure that delays and interruptions due to the government shutdown are covered and to what extent.
Why Cancel for Any Reason Could Be a Good Add-On
Basic trip insurance can help with cancellations and delays, but are limited to those reasons explicitly explained in your plan documents. If you decide to cancel your trip due to the government shutdown, your plan might not protect your investment.
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is an optional add-on benefit that can be added to your plan for an additional cost. Adding Cancel For Any Reason allows you to cancel your trip for literally any reason and still be reimbursed for a majority of your nonrefundable travel expenses. Other common reasons that are protected under Cancel For Any Reason include:
- Personal reasons: Changes in personal plans or feelings about the trip.
- Health issues: Illness, injury, or medical conditions that prevent travel, even if they aren’t related to a pre-existing condition.
- Family emergencies: The need to cancel due to a family member’s illness, injury, or death.
- Work-related issues: A sudden job loss, work schedule change, or employer-restricted leave.
- Travel restrictions: Travel bans, border closings, or restrictions related to global events like pandemics.
- Natural disasters: Inclement weather, earthquakes, or other natural disasters at the travel destination.
- Unexpected events: A wide variety of unexpected circumstances, such as civil unrest or government-mandated evacuations.
Add Extra Safety with CFAR Coverage During the Government Shutdown
The government shutdown and its effects on air travel serves as an important reminder that travelers need to stay prepared for unpredictable events.The best thing to do during this time is making sure you’re prepared to face the delays and mishaps that can come out of this shutdown. Comparing travel insurance plans can help you find the best plan that fits the concerns you may have about traveling right now.
If you’re exploring coverage options, reaching out to our team of licensed insurance specialists can help guide you through the process of choosing a plan and clarify what’s included,especially in situations like a shutdown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my travel insurance cover delays or cancellations caused by the government shutdown?
It entirely depends on your policy. After the announcement of the shutdown, each insurance company has chosen to handle government-related delays in their own way. That’s why your best bet is to review the “covered reasons” in your policy or even call your insurance company’s customer service team to see how shutdown-related disruptions can be covered.
If my flight is delayed due to the shutdown, can travel insurance help?
In many cases, yes. Many travel insurance plans offer trip delay coverage, which can reimburse expenses like accommodations, meals, or transportation if your flight is delayed for a certain number of hours. Each travel insurance policy is built differently so it is always best to check with your insurance company or read your policy details to confirm the extent of coverage.
What is CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance?
Cancel For Any Reason coverage is an optional add-on to a travel insurance plan that allows you to cancel your trip for reasons not listed under standard trip cancellation benefits and get partial reimbursement for your non-refundable trip costs.
Can I add CFAR to any travel insurance plan?
Most trip insurance policies will offer the CFAR add-on, giving you greater peace of mind and flexibility. While most comprehensive plans offer this add-on, it might not be available with more basic plans. Additionally, if a travel insurance plan offers a CFAR add-on, there are some requirements you’ll need to meet to be eligible to add it to your base plan. CFAR must be purchased soon after your initial trip deposit, typically within 14–20 days, depending on the provider.
Can I cancel my trip anytime and still receive CFAR reimbursement?
No, you must cancel your trip within the time frame specified by your travel insurance company—typically no later than 48 hours before your scheduled departure—to qualify for a CFAR trip cancellation benefit.
Is Cancel For Any Reason coverage worth the additional cost?
While the CFAR travel insurance cost can add 40% to 50% to your base premium, it may be worth it for travelers who want the flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason, including personal conflicts or family emergencies, and still recuperate a majority of the costs that you would have otherwise lost.
