As the government shutdown continues, long TSA lines are 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.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
- How staffing shortages at the TSA are affecting wait times and security checkpoints nationwide
- Strategies for monitoring real-time airport conditions and adjusting your schedule to avoid missing flights
- The role of travel insurance in protecting your investment, and how policy coverage varies based on when it was purchased
How is the Partial Government Shutdown Affecting Air Travel?
As a result of the partial government shutdown, many Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are working without pay, and many have responded by quitting or taking unscheduled leave. The absence of TSA officers has caused delays in many airports, including some closed security checkpoints at airports like the Philadelphia International Airport.
The 2025 federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1 and lasted 43 days, the longest shutdown in US history. The previous shutdown affected TSA officers and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers nationwide, leaving them without pay.
While all of the news about long TSA lines 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 TSA wait times
If you have a flight during the shutdown, it is recommended to check your airport’s website for real-time information about current TSA wait times at specific terminals.
While you are also able to use the MyTSA mobile app, however, the MyTSA app has a message stating that the website is not being actively managed because of the lapses in federal funding, which may cause inaccuracy.
Staying informed and ready to adjust your plans is one of the most effective ways to handle unexpected travel 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, many travel experts are recommending that you consider arriving at the airport three hours early before your departure, even for domestic flights.
Because of the staffing shortage, there has been an unpredictability of how long the TSA lines actually are. On Thursday, March 19, Houston George Bush International Airport had some TSA checkpoints that exceeded 2 hours. Meanwhile, LaGuardia Airport has seen wait times as low as 5 minutes.
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.
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 with Travel Insurance
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 Feb. 14, 2026, 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 at the 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 Insurance is a Good Idea During a Government Shutdown
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.
Where Can I Find CFAR Coverage During the Government Shutdown?
The government shutdown and its effects on air travel serve as an important reminder that travelers need to stay prepared for unpredictable events. The best thing to do during this time is to make 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.
- Because of unpredictable staffing shortages, experts recommend arriving at least three hours before your departure, even for domestic flights
- Not all travel insurance covers shutdown-related issues, so you should verify “covered reasons” with your insurance company or read the fine print before selecting a plan
- Basic travel insurance is limited to specific reasons, whereas Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) allows you to recover a majority of nonrefundable costs for any reason, as long as it is purchased within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit
