What to do if your flight is canceled amid cuts

Travel experts share tips as the FAA reduces air traffic in federal shutdown.

- BY KAREN GARCIA

SOFIA Casas Chavez, mom Lauren Chavez and dad Pedro Casas wait at LAX.

CHRISTINA HOUSE Los Angeles Times

With the holiday travel season around the corner, travelers are bracing for possible flight delays and cancellations as the Federal Aviation Administration cut commercial air traffic by 10% at 40 airports.

The unusual conditions are the result of the government shutdown, which is entering its second straight month. The FAA is cutting air traffic to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay, with many calling in sick, leading to staffing shortages in the airport control towers.

Five airports in California will be targeted for cuts — Los Angeles International, Ontario International, San Diego International, Oakland San Francisco Bay and San Francisco International.

How could cuts affect LAX travel?

Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimates as many as 1,800 flights a day across the country could be canceled.

About 72 flights a day could be cut at LAX alone, affecting as many as 12,371 passengers a day. Which flights will be affected may depend on the routes.

Following the FAA's cutback announcement, United said its long-haul international and hub-to-hub flying will not be affected by the reductions.

■Hub-to-hub flights include those that go through:

■Los Angeles International Airport

■ San Francisco International Airport

■ Chicago O'Hare International Airport

■Denver International Airport

■ Houston/George Bush Intercontinental Airport

■ Newark Liberty International Airport

■ Washington Dulles International Airport

■ Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam

Similarly, American Airlines said on X that its “long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled.”

I’m looking to book soon. Any tips?