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FAA Cuts Drive Worst Day, More Cancellations Ahead

Traveler studies the departures board inside Newark Liberty, as FAA caps drive delays and cancellations across major U.S. airports
by
4 min read

Key points

  • More than 2,700 U.S. flights were canceled Sunday and delays topped 10,000
  • Airlines pre-canceled about 1,500 Monday flights as FAA programs stacked up
  • FAA caps rose from 4 percent Friday toward 6 percent by Tuesday and 10 percent by November 14
  • Newark ran a formal Ground Delay Program that metered arrivals
  • Major carriers issued systemwide waivers tied to the FAA directive

Impact

If You Fly Monday
Expect rolling delays and additional day-of cancels at Newark, LaGuardia, JFK, O'Hare, Atlanta, Detroit, and Orlando
Connections To Avoid
Tight connects through New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Orlando carry elevated misconnect risk
Where Cuts Are Deepest
FAA reductions apply at roughly 40 large airports with caps stepping up through November 14
How Long Until Normal
Stabilization depends on controller staffing and a shutdown deal, recovery will lag even after a vote
Waivers And Options
Use carrier waivers to move earlier or later, same origin and destination, or request refunds when eligible

The federal shutdown driven capacity caps produced the worst day yet for U.S. air travel on Sunday, November 9, 2025. More than 2,700 flights were canceled and delays exceeded 10,000 as the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, held traffic down at dozens of major fields to match available staffing. By early Monday, airlines had already pre-canceled roughly 1,500 flights and warned of more trims as delay programs stacked up, including a formal Ground Delay Program at Newark Liberty International Airport, EWR, that metered arrivals. Travelers should avoid tight connections through New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Orlando, and use posted waivers to rebook.

Related

FAA caps and what is changing now

The FAA told airlines to begin with a 4 percent reduction on Friday, November 7, then step to about 5 percent Saturday and 6 percent by Tuesday, with a glide to 10 percent by Friday, November 14, if staffing does not stabilize. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also warned that deeper cuts, up to 20 percent, could be ordered if conditions worsen. Airlines say they are complying across roughly 40 airports while trying to preserve international flying where possible.

On Sunday, the system hit a new high watermark for disruption. Reuters and other outlets tallied more than 2,700 cancellations and over 10,000 delays nationwide. That pressure carried into the workweek, with local and national reports citing about 1,500 Monday cancellations already on the board before dawn. FAA advisories showed programs active at several hubs, and Newark specifically under a Ground Delay Program.

Latest developments

Newark ran an FAA-managed arrival metering program that slowed inbound flows on Sunday into Monday, contributing to longer taxi-out times and arrival spacing. The National Airspace System dashboard showed EWR in GDP status, with FAA operations plan advisories listing additional initiatives nationwide. Similar constraints appeared at other core hubs as centers balanced staffing and weather.

Major carriers have activated broad flexibility. American detailed a stepped schedule reduction, four percent through November 10 and six percent on Tuesday, November 11, with fee waivers for affected travelers. Delta published customer guidance and exception policies linked to the FAA directive. United set up a centralized page for FAA-mandated schedule reductions and is issuing refunds or free changes within the waiver windows. If your booking falls inside an airline's waiver, move to a different time or day before you leave for the airport.

Analysis

The near-term path is mechanical. Caps step up through Friday while airlines front-load cancellations to keep day-of execution more predictable. That is why Monday began with heavy pre-cancels by hub, and why delay counts can still swell despite a trimmed schedule. Expect pressure where controller staffing was already tight and where runway throughput is naturally constrained, notably New York metro, Chicago, Atlanta, and parts of Florida. Detroit has been an important relief valve for Midwest flows but will feel knock-on effects as crews and aircraft mis-position.

Background, how FAA programs work

A Ground Delay Program, GDP, meters arrivals to a target rate at a specific airport by assigning controlled departure times from origin fields. The FAA can also issue ground stops, miles-in-trail spacing, and reroute advisories. These tools keep demand aligned with safe staffing and weather limits. For passengers, GDPs create long inbound holds and late inbound aircraft, which then cascade into late departures for the next legs. When caps are multi-day, airlines cancel in advance to preserve crew duty clocks and maintenance plans.

What to do

If you are booked through Newark, LaGuardia, JFK, O'Hare, Atlanta, Detroit, or Orlando between now and Friday, build buffers or proactively move to earlier flights under your carrier's waiver. Keep your original origin and destination to unlock fee-free changes, and watch for refund eligibility on canceled segments. International connections remain relatively more protected but can still be affected by inbound aircraft and crew rotation issues.

Final thoughts

Sunday was the worst day since the shutdown hit air traffic staffing. With FAA cuts stepping toward 10 percent by November 14, Monday's early cancellations are a leading indicator of another rough week. Use the waivers, widen your connections, and keep an eye on Newark and the New York complex, where metering has been most visible. FAA cuts remain the primary keyword to watch as the system works back toward stability.

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