Overview:
SFO and Oakland are among dozens of airports nationally that are expected to be impacted by the FAA's decision to reduce flights as it copes with the toll the federal shutdown has taken on air traffic controllers and TSA workers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration is forcing airlines to cut 10% of their flights at 40 of the busiest airports across the nation. The goal, he said, is to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown and ensure that flying remains safe.
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and San Francisco International Airport are both on the list. San Jose Mineta International Airport is not.
As of 6:45 a.m. Friday, FlightAware, a live flight tracking service, showed three cancellations at Oakland airport in the last 24 hours and six at SFO.
The cuts will start to take effect on Friday, Nov. 7. Travelers should check with their airlines to see if their flight has been cut.
Kaley Skantz, a spokesperson for OAK, said Thursday that they’re preparing for changes to operations.
“For passengers with upcoming travel, we recommend checking flight status with their airline,” Skantz said. We suggest downloading the airline’s mobile application and enable notifications to ensure that they are receiving the latest information on their itinerary from their airline.”
Alaska Airlines, one of OAK’s largest carriers, issued a statement saying the airline is working to ensure that smaller and remote communities with limited options are protected and focusing cancellations “on routes with a higher frequency of flights,” allowing customers to seek alternatives. All Alaska customers whose flights are canceled will receive communication directly from Alaska or Hawaiian and placed on other flights or offered a full refund, the airline said.
A spokesperson for OAK’s largest carrier, Southwest Airlines, did not immediately respond to queries about how the cuts will impact local flights. But a Southwest web page says that all passengers whose flights canceled will be notified directly and, in most cases, automatically rebooked. Those with canceled flights who decide not to travel, it says, are eligible for a refund.
“While the vast majority of our Customers’ flights will not be disrupted, all Southwest Customers, with travel booked through Wednesday, November 12, may adjust their travel plans at no cost, or receive a refund if they choose not to travel, regardless of whether their flight is affected,” the airline said in a message posted on its app. “We will communicate directly with affected Customers as soon as possible. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”
SFO’s media team has not yet responded to queries.
At a press conference yesterday, Duffy said the air traffic controllers haven’t received paychecks since early October, resulting in “staffing pressures throughout our airspace.” He said that the choice of airports was about “where’s the pressure and how to we alleviate the pressure.”
“I anticipate that there will be additional disruptions, there will be frustrations,” he said. “Our priority is to keep you safe.”
Which 40 airports will have flights affected?
Here are the airports ordered to reduce flights, according to the FAA’s emergency order:
1. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in Georgia
3. Boston Logan International in Massachusetts
4. Baltimore/Washington International in Maryland
5. Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina
6. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International in Ohio
7. Dallas Love Field in Texas
8. Ronald Reagan Washington National in Virginia
9. Denver International in Colorado
10. Dallas/Fort Worth International in Texas
11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County in Michigan
12. Newark Liberty International in New Jersey
13. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International in Florida
14. Honolulu International in Hawaii
15. William P. Hobby in Houston, Texas
16. Washington Dulles International in Virginia
17. George Bush Houston Intercontinental in Texas
18. Indianapolis International in Indiana
19. New York John F. Kennedy International in New York
20. Las Vegas McCarran International in Nevada
21. Los Angeles International in California
22. New York LaGuardia Airport in New York
23. Orlando International in Florida
24. Chicago Midway in Illinois
25. Memphis International in Tennessee
26. Miami International in Florida
27. Minneapolis/St. Paul International in Minnesota
28. Oakland International in California
29. Ontario International in California
30. Chicago O`Hare International in Illinois
31. Portland International in Oregon
32. Philadelphia International in Pennsylvania
33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Arizona
34. San Diego International in California
35. Louisville International in Kentucky
36. Seattle/Tacoma International in Washington
37. San Francisco International in California
38. Salt Lake City International in Utah
39. Teterboro in New Jersey
40. Tampa International in Florida.
Do you have to fly? Here’s an FAQ about FAA flight rollbacks
How long will this go on?
It’s hard to say. Even if the shutdown ends soon, the FAA has said it would not lift the flight restrictions until staffing at airport towers and regional air traffic center makes it safe to do so.
“It’s going to take time to work through this,” said Michael Johnson, president of Ensemble Travel, an association of travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada.
That’s why, he said, it’s important to plan ahead — whether you’ve already booked flights or you’re just starting to make holiday travel plans.
Passengers were expected to get notified by airlines on Thursday if their flights are canceled. But it’s a good idea to check your airline’s app or a flight-tracking site for updates before you leave for the airport.
Airlines say they are trying to minimize the impact on their customers, some of whom will see weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice. United Airlines, for example, says it would focus the cuts on its regional routes that use smaller planes.
My flight was canceled. Now what?
“Take a deep breath. Don’t panic,” Johnson said. “There are options available. They may not be ideal, and they may be inconvenient, but you have options.”
If you’re already at the airport, it’s time to get in line to speak to a customer service representative. While you’re waiting, you can also call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It can also help to reach out on X because airlines might respond quickly there.
Now might also be the time to consider if it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus instead.
Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, said the shutdown is different from when a single airline is having problems and travelers can just pick another carrier. Shortages of air traffic controllers can create problems for entire airports and multiple airlines at once.
“The longer the shutdown drags on, it’s unlikely that there will be one airline running on time if the rest of the them are failing,” Potter said.
Can I get a refund or compensation?
U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation or to cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.
But United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines said they will offer refunds to passengers who opt not to fly while the FAA’s order is in place, even if they purchased tickets that aren’t normally refundable. Southwest Airlines said it would do the same through Wednesday.
You can also check the Department of Transportation’s website to see what your airline promises for refunds or other costs if your flight is canceled or delayed.
Should I just stay home for the holidays?
Not necessarily.
You might just need a little more planning and flexibility than usual. A travel adviser can help take some stress off your plate, and travel insurance may give you an extra safety net.
Johnson also warned that flights could sell out fast once the shutdown ends.
“There will be a flurry of booking activity,” he said. “So try to get ahead of it and make sure that you’re protected.”
Other tips
Travel light. Limiting baggage to a carry-on means one less airport line to deal with, and if your plans change unexpectedly, you’ll already have everything with you.
Be nice. Airline agents are likely helping other frustrated travelers, too, and yelling won’t make them more willing to help. Remember, the cancellations aren’t their fault.
“An extra ounce of kindness to yourself and to others at this time of year, with all of the disruptions, will go a long way,” Johnson said.
Reporting from The Oaklandside contributed to this story. This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
