Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by Christine Kaaloa

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Flight cancellations and delays can upend even the best-laid travel plans, leaving passengers scrambling for solutions and clarity. In 2025, the U.S. government shutdown triggered a wave of flight disruptions at major airports and it’s revived a government shutdown in 2026,  making it more essential than ever for travelers to be proactive and informed.

If you are traveling soon, you should brace for airport delays, flight cancellations and last-minute schedule changes.  If you are in the process of booking an upcoming trip, preparation is essential for minimizing disruption and protecting your rights as a passenger.

This blog guide shares tips preparing you with solutions if the shutdown throws obstacles in your way from tips if your flight is cancelled/delayed, your passenger rights and how to book an upcoming flight that avoids cancellation.

Starting November 7th, 2025,  there was an FAA mandate ordering a 10% reduction of flights at 40 high-traffic U.S. airports, including Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Denver and New York City. This is on top of the U.S. government shutdown that is affecting TSA and air traffic controllers who must show up at work to do their job, while not getting paid.

While your travel stress may be running high, remember to be kind to airport staff as this is a stressful time for all.

What to Do if Your Flight is Cancelled or Delayed

So you bought your ticket and your date is set. Before heading to the airport…

Download Airline App

Download, install and regularly check your airline’s app to stay updated on delay notices, gate changes and alerts about staffing shortages that could impact security wait times. You should also be able to rebook your flight from the app. Turn on notifications for real-time updates.

Download the My TSA app

Install the MyTSA app. Initially the app tells you what items will pass through TSA. But you can also use it to see how long the TSA wait lines are and if there are delays at your airport. This can help give you a head start in getting to the airport earlier.

Monitor Schedule Changes

Flight schedules may change with little warning. During the day before and day of your flight, you want to watch the status of your flight.

Aside from downloading your airlines app and My TSA app, there’s a handy hack shared on social media:

Text yourself your airline and flight number code (ie. HA332 or UA 379). When you receive your text, tap on it and all the flight details pop up instantly: gate changes, delays, even baggage claim info!

You can easily text this to your family member or friend so they can check into your flight status if they are picking you up.

Spot vulnerable flights

Check your seat map using your mobile airline app or during online check-in. Flights with many empty seats have a better likeliness to be canceled, whereas full flights are likely to be safe. You might be able to rebook immediately. Picking a nonstop or hub-to-hub flight can boost your chances of avoiding delays or cancellations.

Tip: The flights that seem likely to be affected are the U.S. domestic flights. The FAA cutback order does not name international and long haul flights.

Be Flexible

Airlines are providing extra flexibility, allowing changes or cancellations – even for non-refundable and basic economy fares – without penalty throughout the shutdown period.

If you suspect your flight will be affected, consider proactively changing your travel plans.

Arrive extra early

The old rule was to arrive at least 3 hours before your flight if flying internationally; one hour before your flight if domestic. With government shutdowns, expect extra long and slow lines. Arrive 4-5 hours in advance for international flights and at least 3 hours for domestic.  Always monitor your flight and check the TSA app for a more accurate idea of when to arrive.

Pro Tip: Expect to spend extra time in the airport- charge up your electronics, pack your entertainment as if you were on a long flight (podcast, Netflix, games for kids, etc. ) and bring extra snacks/meal so you don’t need to wait in long queues.

Pack an Essentials (yes, that means food/snacks)

Expect longer wait times and possible last-minute overnight stays due to flight changes, cancellations and delays. This doesn’t only affect passengers stuck waiting in airports. I’ve heard of passengers stuck on the tarmac for hours. So pack your in-flight essentials as if you were boarding a long flight.

• Pack snacks, portable chargers for electronics and essential medications in your carry-on. 
• Check out my in-flight essentials list. Don’t forget an extra change, flip-flops and undies.
• Before you travel, shop your snacks and takeout sandwiches before arriving at the airport. Be stocked up.
• Pack multipurpose capsule accessories in case you find yourself sleeping in the airport

Expect TSA Pre-check and Global Entry to be wonky

During a holiday or government shutdown, anticipate your TSA Precheck and Global Entry Pass memberships to not work as quickly as they do. They might not work at all as lines are will be long and slow, especially at TSA.

Both memberships typically help you to skirt long queues at TSA…. but that is only if their queues aren’t long themselves! Read more about both!

Stay informed with latest updates

Check news updates and airline social media channels frequently as conditions can change rapidly in response to the ongoing shutdown.

Download and check into your airlines mobile app for the latest flight and gate updates.

Read 10 Things you NEED to Know About Connecting Flights 

Check the fine print in your trip insurance

Whether you are using your credit card’s free trip insurance or you bought personal travel insurance, check the fine print to see to what extent they cover cancellations and delays. Insurance plans may not cover government shutdowns, shortage of workers, staffing strikes or war.

Instead, look for plans with coverage that can reimburse you for missed connections, extra hotel nights and non-refundable bookings, if airlines classify the delay under other terms rather than “government shutdown”.​ Some insurance policies like Allianz and Faye have a Cancel For Any Reason clause that allows you to back out of a booking, by giving you a time frame after your payment deposit.

Review your policy’s exclusions and claim filing requirements. Policies from leading providers can differ in what they actually cover during major events. Check out this trip insurance finder tool to find your best match!

Know your Passenger Rights During Flight Cancellations & Delays

If you’ve encountered a flight cancellation or delay, there’s solutions to help you navigate the frustrating situation.

Visit the DOT Travel Dashboard

A handy site to know your passenger rights in the case of delays and cancellations is the DOT Travel Dashboard. This is the U.S. Department of Transportation Airlines Cancellation and Delay Dashboard, that shows passenger rights for situations like “maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling…“.

It updates you on the legal commitments each airlines has made about things like providing meal cash/vouchers for delays, rebookings, cash refunds for cancellations, etc… Select the airlines you are flying with and it will let you know what that specific airline is committed to in compensatory damages, if the flight or delay is their fault.

Note: As this government shutdown is not the airlines’ fault, they are not offering meal vouchers or hotel stays or reimbursements for them.

Rebooking

If you are at the airport and your flight gets cancelled, airlines will offer no-fee rebooking onto the next available flight. If you decline rebooking, request a full refund instead.

Although you may request your airlines find you a booking on another airlines carrier, they are not legally obliged to do so and if that other airlines flight falls gets cancelled, getting your cash refund gets complicated. It’s best if you just accept a direct rebooking from your airlines or take the cash refund and rebook through another airlines yourself.

Travel Waivers

Some airlines like United Air offer travel waivers if you want to reschedule your flight, you may do so up to six days in advance before your flight. They will waive your flight change fee, even if your flight has not been cancelled. Travel waivers are often reserved for emergency situations, such as natural disasters, political unrest or FAA mandated flight reductions.

Accept the cash refunds

If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed (3+ hours for departures within the U.S., 6+ hours for international itineraries), the new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule says you are legally entitled to an automatic cash refund rather than a credit or voucher, unless you choose the alternative.​  Airlines must offer refunds and cannot force you to accept travel credits. You are also allowed a refund on any baggage fees and seat upgrades. The one thing you will not be refunded or reimbursed are hotel stays and meals if you were delayed at the airport and chose to stay at a hotel or dine.

Insist on cash if preferred.  The reason is that cash offers full and immediate access to your funds, flexibility and they do not expire nor are they bound to one airlines. Cash will allow you to choose other transportation alternatives, such as another airlines carrier or different mode of transportation.

Hotel stays and other compensation

Major airlines like Delta, United, American Air, etc.. are not reimbursing for hotels, car rentals, meals, or other incidental expenses during an FAA mandated shutdown. Expect not to be compensated for overnight stays or disruptions beyond your ticket refund.​

Document everything: Keep receipts and screenshots

Document all communications and changes with your airline, especially if you’re offered alternative flights, credits, or refunds. Save receipts and file claims with travel insurance if your policy covers common carrier delays or cancellations, but do not expect coverage simply due to a government shutdown.​

Have backup plans

• Consider travel insurance that covers government shutdowns.
• Keep alternative transportation options in mind – ie car rental, train/Amtrak, cruise– in case air travel becomes unmanageable.
• Consider delaying your trip for a more stable time.
• Find an alternate flight that goes into an airport/destination close to your ideal destination.
  • I like Momondo for its ability to do combined searches for a few airport cities.
  • Skyscanner finds alternative flights for smaller carriers, which might work if you’re flying into one of the 40 airports affected by the FAA-mandate.

How to Prepare: If you are booking a flight

You want to or have to travel soon and are concerned about encountering the messiness at U.S. airports… You should be.

Choose a route bypassing the U.S. if possible

This tip is for international travelers looking at connecting routes in the U.S.

Now is not the time for that U.S. vacation to Disneyland or to visit your American friend in New York. Choose another route that does not stop in the U.S. As a female solo traveler, it breaks my heart to give this advice about my home country,  which I love but…

The United States is going through unpredictable and somewhat, volatile times– a government shutdown affecting travel in the crossfire, political unrest, a strong immigration deportation campaign (I’ve even filmed safety tips about how to avoid going missing– wink wink), foreign travelers have been denied entry and they are checking phones and social media accounts, almost as soon as you buy your flight ticket to the U.S.

Overall, there’s just too much instability and risk, which can surmount in a lost vacation and investment.

Read about the strict changes to airport immigration security and Tips for Choosing your Airport Layovers

Avoid booking through third party discount sites

Book directly through the airlines, so should anything go wrong, you can get service from the airlines itself. Booking through third party aggregator sites, make dealing with flight changes, cancellations and refunds difficult as your purchase is through the aggregator site and not the airlines itself. If your flight gets cancelled, you cannot rebook through the airlines, but must call Customer Support of the company you booked your deal on and they are not obliged to waive change fees. I’ve definitely learned this the hard way in the past.

Pro Tip: Did you know that third party booking sites were selling your flight and booking information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security & Customs and Border Patrol (and they still can)?

In July 2025, 404 media broke the news that third party booking sites were selling your data to the government for passenger surveillance. The ARC Travel Intelligence Program – created during 9/11- collected billions of travel records and could query passenger name, credit card number and airline, giving federal and local law enforcement insight into Americans’ travel plans. ARC accredited travel operators like Orbitz and Expedia are able to supply these records, rather than the direct airlines.  ARC is owned by eight major airlines: United, American Airlines, Delta (these top 3 airlines were guilty of attempted surveillance pricing in 2025; the latter is still in question), Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, and Air Canada.

UPDATE: By November 2025, the ARC Travel Intelligence Program was shuttered due to public outcry but the DHS is still building a search engine tool to consolidate biometric data of U.S. citizens. Phone searches are still in effect (read my phone privacy tips), however social media surveillance has rapidly advanced and can occur earlier than in-person arrival.  In March 2026, it has been reported that TSA is working with DHS to give them passenger lists. This news is still breaking. It’s a lot, I know…

Read 19 tips for booking cheap flights

Book morning departures

When booking morning departures, the day is fresh and the crew is already at the airport. Airlines and airports are not at the point where they are already experiencing shortage. Additionally, if your morning flight is cancelled you still have more alternate options to choose from in next available flights or car rentals.  Later in the afternoon or evening is when crew and shortage is more likely to happen. Flight cancellations are also increasing car rentals.

Avoid small carrier flights

The smaller the carrier flight and lower the passenger seat occupancy, the more likely it can encounter a cancellation.

Book a backup flight with points

Some experts advise if you really need to be somewhere to book a backup flight with frequent flier mileage points. In the case your flight does not get cancelled, you can cancel your backup flight at no extra cost to you. However, I would be mindful to not do this unless absolutely necessary, as you could be taking a spot from another passenger, who needs that flight as well.

Let me know what airport survival and flight cancellation tips you would add to this post!