Explained: The US cities hit hardest by FAA 10% flight cut

The Trump administration’s decision to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 major US airports has caused the most widespread flight disruptions since the government shutdown began in October.

The move, described by aviation analysts as “unprecedented,” is part of an emergency FAA directive to ease pressure on the national airspace system as thousands of air traffic controllers continue to work without pay.

The big picture

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered airlines to trim flight schedules by 10% at the country’s busiest hubs, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

The cuts, phased in over several days, will reach their peak by November 14, 2025.According to FlightAware, nearly 800 flights were cancelled within, into, and out of the United States on Friday — the highest single-day total since the shutdown began. The reduction affects not just large airports but also regional routes feeding into them.Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the move was about “assessing the data and alleviating building risk” amid staffing shortages.

However, aviation experts argue the cuts amount to a major reduction in capacity ahead of the Thanksgiving rush.

The Data: 40 airports affected

(Source: FAA, Washington Post reporting)

Which routes are hit the hardest

Regional and short-haul flights have been the first casualties, especially those connecting smaller cities to major hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago.Remote communities in Alaska are being prioritised for service continuity, while Alaska Airlines trims routes on busier corridors.International and long-haul flights remain unaffected, with United, Delta, and American Airlines confirming that transatlantic and transpacific routes will continue as planned.Hub-to-hub routes, such as LAX–JFK and ORD–ATL, have been protected to maintain network efficiency.

Airlines’ response

American Airlines has cut about 4% of its schedule (roughly 220 flights daily) but continues to operate 6,000 flights each day.United Airlines will maintain around 4,000 daily flights, offering refunds to any passenger who cancels travel during this period.Delta and Southwest have offered flexible booking policies and waived penalties for cancellations.Under the FAA order, airlines must issue full refunds for cancellations but are not required to cover hotel or incidental costs.

Why it matters

The reduction comes just weeks before the busy Thanksgiving season and could ripple across the national aviation system for weeks even after the order is lifted. The FAA cited “fatigue building in the system” among air traffic controllers and said the cuts were designed to protect safety standards.However, critics have called it “safety-washing” — a political move to pressure Congress to end the shutdown. Airlines are warning that even if operations resume, it may take time for flight schedules to stabilise.

Bottom line

The FAA’s 10% flight cut has hit 40 of America’s busiest airports, grounding around 800 flights a day and causing ripple effects through the entire aviation network. While safety remains the stated goal, passengers can expect longer waits, regional disruptions, and continued uncertainty through mid-November.