FAA Shutdown Forces United to Cut 4% of US Flights

United Airlines is trimming schedules after an FAA shutdown order, cancelling about 4% of U.S. domestic flights from November 7.

The FAA shutdown has pushed United Airlines (UA/UAL) to cancel approximately 4% of its domestic U.S. departures beginning on November 7, the carrier said. The cuts aim to ease operational strain on unpaid air traffic controllers and preserve safe, manageable traffic flows while staffing gaps persist.

Major hub airports seeing the heaviest disruption include Washington Dulles (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall (BWI). United says most international services and hub-to-hub connections are largely unaffected, but schedules at those regional operation points will be reduced to lower controller workload.

FAA shutdown: what travelers should do

If you have travel booked, United recommends rebooking as soon as possible, prioritizing morning departures and keeping the airline app notifications turned on. The carrier warns that additional cancellations or capacity cuts are possible if the FAA shutdown continues beyond the current window.

• Key tip: due to the FAA shutdown, rebook early-morning flights and check United’s app for real-time updates.

Practical steps: confirm your gate and departure time the day before travel, arrive earlier than usual, and contact United customer service if your itinerary includes tight connections through IAD, DCA or BWI. Travelers with international itineraries should verify onward connections too, even though international schedules are mostly intact.

Operational context: the airline framed the reductions as a temporary measure to reduce pressure on air traffic control while civil servants work without pay. United said its priority is safety and minimizing last-minute disruptions for passengers, but cautioned that the situation is fluid and could expand if the FAA shutdown remains unresolved.