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Editor’s Note, 11/6/2025, 3:42 p.m.: This is a developing story, and this article has been updated to include a statement from U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.
Beginning on Friday, several flights departing Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport will be canceled, according to reports. Dallas is one of at least 40 “high-volume” markets affected by the move, a result of the ongoing government shutdown, which has become the longest in American history.
Affected airports will initially experience a 4% reduction in air traffic on Friday. That number is likely to grow to 10% over the weekend, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the move is intended to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers during the staffing shortage resulting from the government shutdown.
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“We are trying to lean into the fact that when we see pressures building in these 40 markets, we just can’t ignore it,” Bedford said at a press conference on Wednesday. “We are not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating.”
Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic congresswoman from Dallas, places the blame for the complications caused by the shutdown squarely on her colleagues to the right.
“Let’s be clear — the chaos we’re seeing at Dallas Love Field, DFW, and airports across this country is not some random accident. It’s a direct result of Republicans choosing to play political games rather than govern.”
American Airlines
On Thursday, American Airlines acknowledged in a statement posted to its website that the federal government has “directed airlines to reduce flight schedules,” which the airline acknowledged would affect many travelers’ itineraries. However, the airline stated that it will implement some changes to help accommodate the adjustments.
“Disrupting customers’ plans is the last thing we want to do,” the statement said. “To provide additional flexibility during the impacted travel period, customers whose flights are cancelled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund without any penalty.”
Southwest Airlines
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines will also not charge its customers for changes. On Thursday afternoon, Southwest was in preparation mode for the required change in plans.
“Southwest Airlines is determining the scheduling adjustments needed to meet the required FAA flight reductions,” a spokesperson noted in a statement shared with the Observer. “While the vast majority of our customers’ flights will not be disrupted, all Southwest customers, with travel booked through next Wednesday, November 12, may adjust their travel plans at no cost, or receive a refund if they choose not to travel, regardless of whether their flight is affected. We will communicate directly with affected customers as soon as possible. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees. We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to its full capacity.”
Delta Airlines
Delta also expects its flights, including all long-haul international travel, to operate as scheduled. The airline is allowing all customers, including those flying basic economy, to change, cancel or receive a refund for their flights without penalty.
“We will work to give customers as much notice as possible about any changes to their flights and apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause,” the company said.
United Airlines
In a press release, United CEO Scott Kirby said long-haul international and hub-to-hub flights will not be affected. The company will instead focus its reductions on regional and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between its hubs. Kirby added that it will still offer around 4,000 flights per day.
“And importantly, any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly, even if their flight isn’t impacted,” the press release states. “That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economic tickets.”
