Q&A: Will my flight to the US be disrupted during the government shutdown?

Since 1st November, the day the US government shut down, over 13,000 essential air traffic controllers have been working without pay. With no date in sight, some have understandably been forced to take other jobs or not turn up for work. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says flyers will face cancelled flights and disruptions on domestic flights. International flights are exempt from the cuts. Flights from the UK to the US are currently running as usual, and Virgin Atlantic and BA both report good service. However, last week saw 90-minute delays at Orlando airport, a hub for Brits looking forward to a Disney holiday.

Yesterday (Thursday, 6 November) US transportation secretary Sean Duffy announced that up to 10 per cent of air travel will be cut at 40 major airports. The cancellations could affect between 3,500 and 4,000 internal flights per day.

According to the BBC, low-budget carrier Frontier Airlines has warned customers to buy tickets at other airlines as a contingency plan.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) says on its website:

“There could be travel disruptions, including flight delays and longer queue times at some airports, due to the current US federal government shutdown.

“Check for messaging from your travel provider or airline and follow their guidance. There may also be restrictions on access to some federally-managed tourist attractions. Please check the relevant websites in advance.”

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