Thanksgiving Flight Delays: Why 2025 Holiday Travel Could Be a Nightmare

Thanksgiving flight delays could reach crisis levels this year as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown disrupts air travel ahead of one of the busiest weeks of the year. Airlines are already reporting thousands of delays, and officials warn the situation could spiral further if no political resolution is reached soon.

With over 8,200 flights delayed nationwide on October 13 alone, industry experts and lawmakers are sounding alarms that the 2025 Thanksgiving travel season may face unprecedented disruptions — a stark contrast to the record-low delays seen last year.

Flight Disruptions Already Surging Weeks Before Thanksgiving

Americans are growing anxious as major airlines struggle with mounting delays weeks before Thanksgiving. According to FlightAware data, delays within, into, or out of the United States totaled 8,236 on October 13. Southwest Airlines led with 1,560 delays — about 35% of its flights — followed by American Airlines (1,054 delays, 29%), Delta Air Lines (895 delays, 25%), United Airlines (781 delays, 26%), and JetBlue (370 delays, 43%).

The surge is partly fueled by the government shutdown, now entering its third week. Many federal employees, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers, continue to work without pay, heightening concerns about staffing shortages and operational strain.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer cautioned that the situation could worsen dramatically over the holidays. “Airports will be flooded with flight cancellations and delays amid the busiest time to travel all year,” Emmer said during a press conference on Capitol Hill. Rep. Lisa McClain added that if the shutdown persists, Thanksgiving week could see “planes grounded and chaos at terminals.”

The potential fallout is significant. If the political deadlock continues, this could become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, surpassing the 35-day closure in 2018-2019 — and the effects on air travel could be devastating.

Air Traffic Controllers and TSA Warn of Crisis Without a Deal

Air traffic controllers, critical to managing the nation’s crowded airspace, are working without pay, leading to increased stress, staffing shortages, and slower operations. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, urged lawmakers to act swiftly. “Air traffic controllers are not responsible for starting a shutdown, and we’re not responsible for ending shutdowns. Only our elected officials are, and they need to end the shutdown today,” he said.

Staffing shortfalls at airports across the country have already begun to cause cascading delays, and if the shutdown continues through Thanksgiving week, the problem could reach a breaking point. TSA lines could grow significantly longer, and even routine weather disruptions could trigger mass cancellations.

The stakes are high. Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration recorded 232,000 flights nationwide between November 24 and November 28 — the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record. Despite the surge, cancellations were limited to just 0.3% of flights, and delays affected only 1.2%. Those historic low disruption numbers are unlikely to repeat in 2025 unless lawmakers reach a deal soon.

What Thanksgiving Travelers Should Expect in 2025

If the shutdown continues, travelers may face delays and cancellations far beyond typical holiday levels. Industry analysts warn that even small disruptions could ripple across the system, leading to widespread cancellations as airlines struggle to manage schedules with reduced staffing and strained resources.

Experts recommend travelers prepare for the worst by booking early-morning flights, allowing extra time at the airport, and monitoring airline notifications closely. Flexibility with travel dates may also help reduce the risk of being stranded.

Thanksgiving flight delays are shaping up to be one of the biggest travel stories of 2025. Unless Congress ends the shutdown soon, millions of Americans could face severe disruptions to their holiday plans, turning one of the year’s most cherished traditions into a logistical nightmare.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why are Thanksgiving flight delays expected to increase in 2025?

The ongoing government shutdown is causing staffing shortages and operational disruptions in air travel, raising the risk of widespread delays.

Q2: How many flights were delayed recently in the U.S.?

On October 13, more than 8,200 flights were delayed nationwide, with Southwest, American, and Delta leading the list.

Q3: How did Thanksgiving travel look last year?

In 2024, Thanksgiving week saw a record 232,000 flights with minimal cancellations (0.3%) and delays (1.2%).

Q4: What can travelers do to avoid delays?

Book early flights, allow extra time, stay flexible with travel dates, and monitor airline alerts closely.

Q5: Could this be the longest government shutdown in U.S. history?

Yes. If the shutdown continues past Thanksgiving, it will surpass the previous record of 35 days.