FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford warns that widespread controller absences amid the government shutdown are already causing major flight delays and could worsen as Thanksgiving approaches.
United Airlines customers with flights booked to travel during the government shutdown will be eligible for a refund, CEO Scott Kirby told employees in a memo on Wednesday.
The news came after the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation announced a reduction in schedules across 40 domestic airports, starting on Friday, as a result of the shutdown.
“[A]ny customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly – even if their flight isn’t impacted. That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets,” Kirby said in the memo.
He added that the airline’s “long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA.”
AIRLINES WORK TO LIMIT IMPACT AS FAA CUTS AIR TRAFFIC BY 10% ACROSS 40 MARKETS AMID SHUTDOWN
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, center, joined by Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, speaks to reporters outside the White House on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Kirby and other members of the airlines ind (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)
“Instead, we will focus our schedule reductions on regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hubs,” Kirby said, adding that the airline will utilize its app, website and push notifications to stay in touch with customers about flight changes and to offer rebooking options.
DUFFY ANNOUNCES AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS AMID RECORD GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
A United Airlines at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. (Daniel Slim/AFP / Getty Images)
“Even with these schedule reductions, United and its United Express partners will still offer about 4,000 flights per day to fly our customers to their destinations,” Kirby said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces new airspace restrictions as the 36-day government shutdown creates FAA staffing shortages and flight delays, on Nov. 5, 2025. ( / Fox News)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on the shutdown’s record 36th day the reduction was due to air traffic control safety concerns.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAL | UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. | 94.83 | -1.81 | -1.88% |
Duffy said the cuts could be reversed if Democrats agreed to reopen the government.
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The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents to work without pay.
Reuters contributed to this report.
