Government shutdown: What flyers should expect today

Published on Oct 1, 2025, 9:30 am CDT

6 min read

Core aviation security and air traffic control continue as the U.S. government shutdown begins on October 1. Many FAA support functions pause, and the State Department scales to fee-funded consular work with uneven service. Travelers should build extra time for TSA screening, prepare for strain-driven delays at major hubs starting this morning, and know how airline change-fee waivers and rebooking options work if flights are disrupted. See our earlier explainers for added context: How a government shutdown could affect travel and Airlines warn a shutdown could slow U.S. air travel.

Key points

Why it matters: Essential flying continues, but reduced FAA support can slow the system.
Travel impact: Expect longer TSA lines and potential ATC-related delays at peak times.
What's next: Agencies operate under contingency plans until Congress restores funding.
FAA pauses many non-excepted programs; controllers and TSA officers work unpaid.
Passport and visa services proceed where fee funding and access allow, often with delays.

Snapshot

Airports remain open. TSA screening, Federal Air Marshals, and Customs and Border Protection continue as excepted functions, though staff work without pay. Air traffic controllers stay on position, but FAA hiring, much training, some inspections, and modernization projects pause, reducing resilience when weather or volume spikes. Major hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) may see longer checkpoint lines and knock-on delays, especially in the afternoon push. Fee-funded passport and visa work can continue, yet some agencies inside closed federal buildings may curtail hours. Airlines may post change-fee waivers for affected dates and cities; rebooking early, favoring morning departures, and traveling carry-on can reduce surprises.

Background

The Department of Transportation's shutdown plan keeps the National Airspace System operating while furloughing many non-excepted FAA employees. Reuters reports more than 13,000 controllers and roughly 50,000 TSA employees continue working, while over 11,000 FAA staff are furloughed. DHS planning indicates most frontline roles proceed, but prolonged lapses can stress morale and operations. The State Department's lapse guidance allows consular services funded by fees to continue "as resources and conditions permit," which means location-by-location variability. U.S. Travel estimates travel-industry losses of about $1 billion per week during a shutdown, underscoring the risk of cascading delays and slower service recovery.

Latest developments

What stays open at airports

TSA checkpoints, Federal Air Marshals, CBP processing, and air traffic control are excepted and remain in operation. Safety-critical FAA functions, such as certain airworthiness actions and commercial space licensing oversight, also continue. Airlines, airports, and local concessions operate normally, though customer-service response times may lengthen as federal partners triage essential duties. Travelers should still expect routine ID checks; REAL ID enforcement timelines are unchanged by the shutdown.

What pauses or slows

FAA will pause many non-excepted activities, including much of controller and technician training, portions of hiring, some certification and inspection work, and segments of tech modernization. Furloughs in support offices reduce the system's slack, so weather or traffic spikes can translate into ground-delay programs and holding. Extended unpaid status historically increases sick-outs and fatigue risk, which can slow screening and ramp operations at the margins.

Passport and visa services

Consular services funded by user fees generally continue, but staffing and building access vary. Some passport agencies housed in federal facilities may reduce hours or suspend in-person appointments. Embassies and consulates keep essential services but may post reduced updates on official websites during the lapse. Expect longer processing and fewer expedited slots; confirm your appointment status before traveling to a passport center.

Analysis

For flyers, the day-one reality is a thinner safety-margin system that prioritizes essential functions. Controllers, TSA officers, and CBP keep the backbone intact, but fewer FAA support hands means less flexibility when the schedule meets weather or runway work. That is where small disruptions become longer lines at ATL or ORD and holding patterns into JFK during the afternoon bank. Airlines will lean on standard irregular-operations playbooks, but limited federal customer service can slow coordination, especially for tarmac delays, security lane reconfigurations, or waivers tied to FAA-managed programs. If the shutdown stretches, the pause in training and hiring matters more, widening staffing gaps that were already constraining throughput at busy facilities. On the consular side, fee funding softens the blow, yet uneven access to buildings and overtime limits will ripple into appointment availability and mailed-in processing. The practical takeaway is to assume friction, front-load your trip with time buffers, and keep your options ready-alternate flights, nearby airports, and a self-service mindset with your airline's app.

Rebooking strategies and fee-waiver basics

Watch for airline travel alerts. Carriers may issue change-fee waivers for specific dates and routes; some already list flexible options. 2) Rebook like-for-like first. Waivers usually require same origin and destination, same cabin, and travel within a defined window. 3) Target morning departures. Early flights cancel less and give you more recovery options. 4) Use the app and multiple channels. If a line forms, call the airline while queueing and try chat. 5) Know refund rules. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you are typically entitled to a refund to your original form of payment. 6) Protect connections. Aim for 2 hours domestic, 3 hours international during the shutdown.

Airport tips

Arrive 30 to 45 minutes earlier than usual at peak times. Use PreCheck or CLEAR if enrolled, and pick the checkpoint farthest from the curb. Travel carry-on to speed rebooking and reduce misconnects. At hubs like ATL, ORD, and JFK, favor earlier banks and nonstop routings when possible. If severe holding builds, consider alternate airports in the same metro area.

Passport and visa caveats

Keep appointments but verify 24 hours in advance. If you are mailing an application, expect slower processing and limited expedited slots. For imminent travel within 14 days, monitor your local agency's service notices and bring proof of travel if you secure an urgent appointment.

Final thoughts

Essential flying continues, but resiliency is lower until funding returns. Expect longer TSA lines at peak times and potential ATC-related slowdowns, especially this afternoon. Build buffers, favor morning departures, and keep rebooking tools handy. Monitor airline travel alerts for change-fee waivers and confirm passport appointments in advance. If your flight cancels or is significantly delayed, request a refund rather than credits if you prefer flexibility. Until the shutdown ends, plan conservatively and use our earlier coverage to stay ahead of the curve on government shutdown travel.