Passengers pull back, U.S. airlines see booking drop in government shutdown

WASHINGTON--Passengers are hesitating to book flights as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown begins to squeeze the country’s air travel system. United Airlines has joined JetBlue, Delta, American, and Southwest in reporting a noticeable decline in ticket sales, driven by growing uncertainty, longer security lines, and reduced confidence in the nation’s air traffic system.

Industry data from Airlines for America shows advance bookings for both domestic and international flights have fallen about 6% compared to last year. The drop reflects travelers’ unease as critical agencies like the FAA and TSA struggle with staffing shortages and suspended training programs. Many travelers are postponing trips or waiting until the shutdown ends before confirming plans.

While airlines have so far avoided widespread cancellations, analysts warn the strain could worsen as the busy Thanksgiving period nears. Reduced overtime, delayed controller training, and mounting fatigue among air traffic personnel are already contributing to slower operations and longer wait times at airports.

For now, carriers are maintaining most schedules but remain on high alert. United and Delta have acknowledged declines in bookings but say they are focused on maintaining reliability. American Airlines and JetBlue have made similar statements, noting that while cancellations remain low, uncertainty is eroding passenger confidence.

The broader travel economy is feeling the ripple. Hotels, car rental agencies, and tourist destinations are beginning to see slower bookings, echoing the $3 billion in losses the U.S. travel industry suffered during the 2019 shutdown. This time, experts fear the impact could be greater, given that air traffic volumes are nearly 18% higher than before the pandemic.

Passengers are urged to plan ahead, check flight updates frequently, and arrive early at airports to account for longer TSA lines. Fare increases are also possible as airlines adjust to lower demand and operational uncertainty.

The situation remains fluid. Unless Congress resolves the shutdown soon, the ripple effects could deepen, testing the capacity of airlines, airports, and air traffic controllers to keep the U.S. aviation system moving through one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

‍