CHICAGO – United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has announced that the airline will offer refunds to customers who choose not to travel during the upcoming nationwide flight restrictions ordered by U.S. transportation officials.
The move comes as the federal government shutdown continues into its second month, straining aviation operations and prompting the Department of Transportation (DOT) to impose drastic capacity reductions.
Flight Reductions Begin November 7
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said during a Nov. 5 press conference that there will be a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major airports starting Friday, Nov. 7. The restrictions are being implemented to ease the pressure on air traffic controllers and other FAA staff working without pay during the shutdown.
Duffy did not specify when the flight reductions will end.
The announcement triggered an immediate reaction from airlines, who were forced to revise their schedules within 36 hours, and from passengers who flooded airline customer service lines seeking clarity about upcoming flights.
United Offers Full Refunds — Even for Non-Refundable Tickets
In a memo to employees obtained by USA TODAY, Kirby said all United customers can request a refund, even if their flight has not been directly impacted.
“Any customer is eligible for a refund while the reductions are in effect — even if their flight isn’t impacted,” Kirby wrote.
The offer applies to non-refundable and basic economy tickets as well.
Kirby added that United will continue to make rolling updates to its schedule and provide several days’ advance notice of any changes to minimize disruptions.
Which Flights Will Be Cut
According to Kirby, the flight reductions will primarily affect domestic routes that do not connect the airline’s major hubs.
Flights between hubs and international services will continue as scheduled.
“It’s important to give impacted customers as many options as possible to resume their trip,” Kirby said.
United operates eight hubs in the U.S. and its territories:
- Chicago – O’Hare International Airport
- Denver – Denver International Airport
- Guam – Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport
- Houston – George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Los Angeles – Los Angeles International Airport
- Newark – Newark Liberty International Airport
- San Francisco – San Francisco International Airport
- Washington, D.C. – Dulles International Airport
Under the restrictions, United expects to operate approximately 4,000 flights per day.
Other Airlines Respond
Following the government’s announcement, other major U.S. airlines released statements addressing the pending restrictions.
American Airlines said the “vast majority” of customers will not be affected, adding that it is awaiting additional information from the FAA.
“We expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected,” the airline said.
Southwest Airlines said it is evaluating the impact of the FAA’s plan and will communicate directly with customers once details are confirmed.
Delta Air Lines referred questions to the Department of Transportation and the FAA, while Alaska Airlines called for an end to the government shutdown and said it was awaiting further guidance.
JetBlue, Allegiant, and Spirit Airlines did not respond to requests for comment as of Nov. 5.
FAA to Release List of Affected Airports
Transportation officials said a list of affected airports will be released Thursday, Nov. 6.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision to reduce flights aims to relieve pressure on exhausted air traffic controllers.
“We are starting to see some evidence that fatigue is building in the system,” Bedford said. “We need to work toward relieving some of that pressure.”
Air traffic controllers and many other FAA employees are required to work without pay during the shutdown, though they are expected to receive back pay once the government reopens.
Advocates have warned, however, that going weeks without pay places significant stress on workers and may push some to seek temporary jobs elsewhere, worsening the staffing crisis.
Industry Braces for More Turbulence
The upcoming flight cuts mark one of the most significant operational disruptions since the beginning of the government shutdown.
Airlines and passengers alike are preparing for major schedule adjustments, while industry analysts warn that ongoing staffing shortages could continue to affect U.S. aviation safety and reliability in the weeks ahead.
