U.S. airlines started canceling hundreds of flights on friday, hours after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered the cuts amid the more-than-monthlong goverment shutdown.

The reductions were ordered as air traffic controllers have missed their paychecks due to the government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. Air traffic control staffing shortages have been disrupting flights at several major U.S. airports, vexing travelers and airline executives alike.

Air traffic controller shortages were delaying flights at several major U.S. airports on Friday, including Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, San Francisco International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in atlanta.

The sudden flight cuts this week forced airlines to scramble with schedule adjustments and making sure crews are where they need to be despite the last-minute changes.

Roughly 780 U.S. flights were canceled as of 2 p.m. ET Friday, according to aviation data firm Cirium, about 3% of the total schedule for the day. That scale of disruption is fairly common for routine disruptions like major thunderstorms, but the Department of Transportation warned that cancellations could ramp up.

Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025.

Kamil Krzaczynski | Afp | Getty Images

According to the FAA’s order, the flight cuts will increase to 10% over the next week, beginning with 4% on Friday, 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday and finally 10% on Nov. 14.

Friday’s cancellation levels were the 72nd worst for the U.S. flights market since Jan. 1, 2024, according to Cirium. That period also included a Southwest Airlines Christmas meltdown after severe weather and mass delays at Delta Air Lines.

American Airlines Scales Back Flights Amid Engine Concerns

American Airlines is proactively reducing its flight schedule due to ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines.Unlike widespread cancellations, the airline is opting for a more targeted approach, trimming flights on routes with high frequency rather than eliminating destinations entirely. This strategy aims to minimize disruption while addressing the engine reliability concerns.

The Root of the Problem: Pratt & Whitney Engines

The core issue lies with the geared turbofan engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. These engines, used on the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft, have been experiencing premature wear and durability problems. The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive in February 2024 requiring inspections of these engines, leading to a reduction in available aircraft for American Airlines. FAA Airworthiness Directive

How American Airlines is Responding

Instead of mass cancellations, American Airlines is strategically reducing the number of daily departures on specific routes. This allows the airline to maintain service to all destinations, albeit with less frequent options.

“What we’ve done today is we tried to minimize the impact on all of our customers – there’s only 220 flights out of 6,200 flights, and we’ve done it in a way that really impacts our smaller aircraft,” said CEO Robert Isom on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”.

Examples of route adjustments include:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Northwest Arkansas National airport: reduced from 10 to 8 daily departures.
• boston Logan International to Ronald Reagan Washington National: Reduced from 10 to 9 daily departures.

On Friday, the carrier canceled 221 flights, a figure Isom acknowledged was “frustrating,” but framed as a necessary step to manage the situation.

Looking Ahead: Potential for Further Reductions

Isom cautioned that the level of cancellations is expected to increase over time. This suggests the engine issues are not a short-term problem and will continue to impact American Airlines’ operations for the foreseeable future. The airline is working to mitigate the impact, but the situation remains fluid.

FAQ

Q: Will my flight be canceled?

A: American Airlines is attempting to minimize cancellations by reducing flight frequency rather than eliminating routes. However, cancellations are possible, especially on routes affected by the engine issues. Check your flight status regularly.

Q: what if my flight is canceled?

A: American Airlines will typically offer rebooking options on the next available flight. You may also be entitled to a refund or other compensation depending on the circumstances.

Q: What is the FAA doing about the engine issues?

A: The FAA has issued Airworthiness Directives requiring inspections of the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. they are closely monitoring the situation and working with Pratt & Whitney to ensure the engines are safe and reliable.

Key Takeaways

• American Airlines is reducing flights due to Pratt & whitney engine problems.
• The airline is prioritizing minimizing disruption by reducing flight frequency, not eliminating destinations.
• Cancellations are expected to increase over time.
• Passengers should regularly check their flight status.

Publication Date: 2025/11/08 11:05:52