United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines said they will refund tickets for customers starting on Friday, November 7, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major airports, which is expected to affect some 3,500 to 4,000 flights daily.
The reductions come amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has created a shortage of air traffic controllers, nearly 11,000 of whom are not being paid.
“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,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. “That includes nonrefundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets.”
News of the refunds comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the air traffic controller shortage could result in disruptions and would likely “lead to more cancellations.”
American Airlines told Fast Company that it expects the vast majority of its customers’ travel will be unaffected, and long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled. As schedule changes are made, American said it will proactively reach out to customers who are affected.
“During the impacted travel period, customers whose flights are canceled for any reason, or who choose not to travel, will be able to change their flight or request a refund, without any penalty,” American Airlines confirmed in an email statement to Fast Company.
American also urged leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown: “We remain grateful to the air traffic controllers, TSA [Transportation Security Administration] officers, CBP [Customs and Border Protection] officers, and other federal employees who are working right now without pay—all to get our customers where they need to be safely.”
In a statement on its website, Delta Air Lines said it expects to operate most flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international flights.
“We are providing additional flexibility to our customers traveling to, from, or through the impacted markets during the impacted travel period to change, cancel, or refund their flights, including Delta Main Basic fares, without penalty during this travel period,” the company said.
Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines have not yet determined a refund policy, according to USA Today.
The airlines and travel experts recommend using the airlines’ mobile apps to get the latest information on cancellations and delays.
40 U.S. airports likely to be most affected by delays
The FAA has not finalized the list of the 40 airports that will be affected by 10% flight reductions. But New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles airports are likely to be among them.
Here is a preliminary list, according to multiple sources including ABC News, CBS News, and USA Today:
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu International (HNL)
- Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP)
- Oakland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O`Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA)
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