FAA cutting flights at DFW, Love Field starting Nov. 7 due to continued shutdown
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- FAA will cut air traffic 10% across 40 high-volume markets starting Nov 7, 2025.
- Controller staffing shortages amid the federal shutdown prompted nationwide reductions.
- Airlines will rebook affected passengers or issue refunds; check flight status.
Editor’s note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Airports in Dallas and Houston are among the 40 airports covering nearly 24 states that will see flight reductions starting Friday, Nov. 7, according to an FAA list obtained by the Associated Press. Other areas affected include Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco and multiple airports in Chicago and New York.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday, Nov. 5 it would reduce air traffic by 10 percent across 40 “high-volume” markets starting Nov. 7 to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers show signs of strain during the government shutdown. The government has been shut down since Oct. 1, and this move will impact thousands of flights nationwide.
The FAA says it will release the full list of markets affected by the air traffic reduction sometime Thursday, Nov. 6.
“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said at a news conference, according to the AP.
Full list of airports affected
Here’s the full list of 40 airports, according to a document distributed to airlines and obtained by the AP. Texas airports are highlighted.
- Anchorage International in Alaska
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in Georgia
- Boston Logan International in Massachusetts
- Baltimore/Washington International in Maryland
- Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International in Ohio
- Dallas Love Field in Texas
- Ronald Reagan Washington National in Virginia
- Denver International in Colorado
- DFW Airport in Texas
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County in Michigan
- Newark Liberty International in New Jersey
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International in Florida
- Honolulu International in Hawaii
- Houston Hobby in Texas
- Washington Dulles International in Virginia
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental in Texas
- Indianapolis International in Indiana
- John F. Kennedy International in New York
- Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas
- Los Angeles International in California
- LaGuardia Airport in New York
- Orlando International in Florida
- Chicago Midway International in Illinois
- Memphis International in Tennessee
- Miami International in Florida
- Minneapolis/St Paul International in Minnesota
- Oakland International in California
- Ontario International in California
- Chicago O`Hare International in Illinois
- Portland International in Oregon
- Philadelphia International in Pennsylvania
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Arizona
- San Diego International in California
- Louisville International in Kentucky
- Seattle/Tacoma International in Washington
- San Francisco International in California
- Salt Lake City International in Utah
- Teterboro in New Jersey
- Tampa International in Florida
I’m flying out of DFW or Love Field. What do I do?
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines posted the following message on Facebook the night of Wednesday, Nov. 5:
The FAA has directed all airlines to reduce flight schedules beginning Friday, November 7. Here’s what you should know:
• If your flight is canceled, we will notify you via your contact information.
• In most cases, we will automatically rebook you on another flight.
• If your flight has been canceled and you decide not to travel, you are eligible for a refund.
• For the latest information, please visit https://swa.is/FAAFlightReductions.
Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.
We know that these FAA-imposed cancellations could impact an important moment in your life. We appreciate your understanding.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines posted the following statement on its website 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6:
Due to the ongoing government shutdown and nationwide air traffic control staffing shortages, the FAA has directed airlines to reduce flight schedules to continue to maintain safe airspace operations beginning Friday, Nov. 7. Flights on Thursday, Nov. 6, will operate as planned.
We expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected, and long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled. As schedule changes are made, we’ll proactively reach out to customers who are impacted. As always, we encourage all customers to check their flight status on aa.com or the mobile app, which will provide real-time updates.
Disrupting customers’ plans is the last thing we want do to [sic]. To provide additional flexibility during the impacted travel period, customers whose flights are cancelled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund without any penalty.
In the meantime, we continue to urge leaders in Washington, D.C., to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown. We remain grateful to the air traffic controllers, TSA officers, CBP officers and other federal employees who are working right now without pay — all to get our customers where they need to be safely — as well as our American Airlines team members who always work to take the best care of our customers.
A spokesperson for DFW Airport told the Star-Telegram in an email Thursday customers should continue to check their airlines’ flight schedules for any possible changes and allow extra time at the airport. DFW Airport travelers can check flight times and TSA wait times on the DFW Airport website and app.
A spokesperson for Dallas Love Field told the Star-Telegram in an email Thursday the airport hasn’t received any directives from local, on-site FAA management about any specific or significant operational changes and said the airport doesn’t know which particular flights will be affected. Customers are urged to continue checking in with their airline about flight status updates.
“[The airport] is committed to maintaining a safe and operational airport as it supports its federal and airline partners during the shutdown,” Love Field said.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown started on Oct. 1. Many have been working six days a week while also putting in mandatory overtime, according to the AP. Many airports, including DFW Airport, have experienced flight delays due to staffing since the shutdown started.
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM.
