Worried About Air Travel During a Government Shutdown? Here’s What to Expect

As the peak holiday travel season ramps up, U.S. lawmakers are deadlocked over federal funding, raising the possibility of a government shutdown starting as early as Saturday at 12:01 a.m. ET if no budget deal is reached. For air travelers, that’s an unwelcome curveball. Here’s what to expect if a shutdown occurs and how it could impact your upcoming flight plans.

Government shutdowns happen when Congress and the president fail to pass funding legislation for federal agencies and departments.

In this case, lawmakers have not agreed on a new spending bill. On Thursday, Congress voted down a short-term measure supported by President-elect Donald Trump. Suppose this stalemate continues and no alternative agreement is reached by midnight Saturday. Many parts of the federal government will cease regular operations.

Who Is Affected by Government Shutdown?

A shutdown would force hundreds of thousands of government employees into furloughs, meaning they would not be allowed to work or be paid.

However, there’s a big catch: Employees deemed “essential” must keep working, even though they won’t receive paychecks during the funding lapse. They’ll get back pay once a deal is reached and the government reopens. However, in the meantime, they’ll be on the job without immediate compensation.

Air Travel Vulnerabilities During a Government Shutdown

For air travel, essential personnel include air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers. Since safety and security are critical, these workers must stay on the job. According to the government’s plans:

• Air Traffic Controllers: More than 14,000 controllers will continue to work to direct planes safely through U.S. airspace.
• TSA Officers: Nearly 60,000 TSA agents will continue staffing airport security checkpoints nationwide.

Will Flights Still Operate?

Yes. Commercial airlines plan to continue operating as normal. Planes won’t be grounded solely because of a government shutdown. The skies will remain under the watchful eyes of air traffic controllers, and security checkpoints will remain open and staffed.

However, just because flights remain scheduled doesn’t mean everything will feel normal. Both controllers and TSA officers would be working without pay, which has the potential to strain morale. This could, in turn, affect how smoothly airports and flights run if the shutdown drags on.

Expect Potential Delays

TSA Administrator David Pekoske acknowledged on social media platform X that TSA officers would be required to work without pay if a shutdown occurs. These frontline security personnel will show up, but the longer a shutdown lasts, the more challenging it might be for them to maintain normal operations.

The TSA stated on Friday that while they’re prepared to handle the holiday surge in travelers, an extended shutdown could mean longer waits at checkpoints.

This translates to practical advice for passengers: If the government shuts down, give yourself more time at the airport.

While the TSA will do everything possible to keep lines moving, staff members dealing with financial uncertainty may experience added stress. Past shutdowns have led to increased absenteeism rates among unpaid essential workers, which can slow down the entire system.

Historical Precedent: What Happened During the Last Shutdown?

The last major government shutdown lasted over a month, from late 2018 through early 2019, making it the longest in U.S. history. Many federal workers went unpaid during that time, leading to morale issues and sporadic staffing shortages.

Air traffic controllers, who manage some of the world’s busiest and most complex airspace, felt the pressure. In some cases, a small number of controllers called out from work. Though not massive, these absences were strategically disruptive enough to cause delays.

Travelers along the densely populated U.S. East Coast saw flights delayed. Within days of that incident, then-President Trump and Congress reached a deal to end the shutdown, illustrating how even a small ripple among essential staff can have big effects on the air travel system.

The timing couldn’t be worse for passengers. The year-end holidays are among the busiest travel periods, and 2023 is no exception. TSA expects to screen more than 40 million people over the holidays through January 2. United Airlines alone anticipates flying around 9.9 million passengers between December 19 and January 6—12% more than last year.

Even minor delays can have a domino effect with higher passenger volumes, backing up security lines and creating a more stressful experience. Airline staff, already stretched thin by seasonal demand, must work closely with air traffic controllers and TSA officers to keep flights on schedule. If those essential workers start feeling the pinch of working unpaid for weeks, their morale could slip, and the system may slow down.

What Travelers Can Do?

For now, no one knows if a shutdown will happen or, if it does, how long it might last. The fate of holiday travel depends partly on whether lawmakers can strike a funding deal quickly. In the meantime, travelers may want to take a few steps to minimize potential headaches:

1. Arrive Early: Give yourself extra time at the airport, especially if the shutdown begins during your travel window. Even a small slowdown in TSA screenings can lengthen wait times significantly.
2. Stay Informed: Monitor airline announcements, follow the TSA and your airport’s social media channels, and read any government news updates. The situation can evolve quickly.
3. Be Patient and Prepared: Remember that frontline workers, including TSA officers and air traffic controllers, do their jobs without pay. A little patience and understanding can go a long way. Consider packing extra snacks, entertainment, or comfort items for your wait at the gate.
4. Know Your Rights: If your flight is delayed due to operational slowdowns, understand the airline’s policies. You might be entitled to certain amenities or options depending on the situation.

While it’s unlikely that airlines will preemptively cancel flights just because of a shutdown, they might react if delays become chronic and start affecting their bottom line. However, most carriers will try to maintain operations as normally as possible—especially given the holiday demand. The TSA and air traffic controllers being deemed essential means the system will keep running, at least on paper.

Commercial air travel will continue even if the government shutters. Planes will keep flying because the system designates air traffic controllers and TSA officers as essential personnel. However, these key players would not be paid during the impasse, which has historically led to morale issues and occasional absenteeism.

If the shutdown is short, passengers might notice little more than slightly longer lines. If it drags on, however, the strain on essential workers could grow, potentially leading to noticeable slowdowns at security checkpoints or small staffing gaps in air traffic control towers. That, in turn, can ripple out as flight delays and longer wait times across the country.

Travelers should always stay flexible, arrive early, and remain informed. With some luck, lawmakers will reach a compromise and avoid or minimize disruption. If you’re flying during the holidays, anticipating possible delays is a prudent move.