Travelers scramble to adjust as airlines cut flights due to shutdown

LOS ANGELES (NewsNation) — There were hundreds of flight cancellations across the U.S. on Friday as airlines began complying with the Federal Aviation Administration’s unprecedented order to reduce service nationwide because of the government shutdown.

While the FAA order left some passengers scrambling to figure out backup plans, most were relieved to find their planes still on schedule as airlines slowly phased in reductions at the nation’s busiest airports.

The 40 airports selected for the slowdown by the FAA span more than two dozen states and include hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the order.

More than 800 flights were called off nationwide — four times the number canceled Thursday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions. Not all were due to the FAA order.

Airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas and Phoenix led the way with the most disruptions, FlightAware said.

What can travelers do?

Carriers are required to refund customers whose flights are canceled but not to cover costs such as food and hotels unless a delay or cancellation results from a factor within the control of the airlines, according to the Department of Transportation.

Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.