Millions of travelers in the US are dealing with travel disruptions this weekend as airlines cancel hundreds of flights. Staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and federal security officers are causing delays amid a continuing government shutdown. Data from Cirium shows over 1,700 flights have already been canceled from Friday through Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a 4% cut in domestic flights at 40 of the country’s busiest airports to ensure air travel remains safe. Despite these reductions, passengers still face long delays and uncertainty. Michele Cuthbert of Columbus, Ohio, said she is worried about being stranded at the airport before her trip to Dallas. If the shutdown continues, flight cancellations could rise to 10% by next Friday. Experts warn that holiday travel could face serious disruptions if lawmakers do not reach a resolution. Former FAA deputy administrator Dan Elwell said the current situation could push travelers into “uncharted territory.” Even if the government reopens next week, airlines may still cancel flights in advance, as required by FAA orders, prolonging travel disruptions. On Thursday, the FAA issued an emergency order requiring airlines to reduce traffic by 4%. FlightAware reports that around 800 flights were canceled on Friday, rising to over 1,000 during the day. On Saturday, more than 1,500 flights were canceled, and over 6,600 delays were reported. Airlines will need to cut 6% of flights by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday, and 10% by next Friday if the shutdown persists. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned cancellations could reach 15–20% without swift congressional action. The cuts are primarily aimed at reducing stress on air traffic controllers, many of whom are missing paychecks. Air traffic facilities nationwide reported being short-staffed 42 times on Saturday. Controllers and TSA officers are struggling financially due to missed paychecks. Union leaders reported cases of employees being evicted or even forced to sleep in their cars with their families. Additional flight reductions could worsen staffing shortages as some controllers make difficult financial decisions about attending work. Major US airlines have announced hundreds of cancellations through the weekend. American Airlines will cancel 220 flights through Monday, while United Airlines plans more than 160 to 270 daily cancellations from Saturday to Tuesday. Southwest Airlines will reduce its schedule by about 4% at 34 airports, canceling roughly 100 flights on Saturday and 150 on Sunday. Delta has canceled over 140 flights, with additional cancellations expected. Passengers can change tickets without fees on major airlines. Experts recommend booking backup flights on different carriers and avoiding layovers to reduce disruption risks. Travelers should monitor flight status directly with airlines, consider travel insurance, and know that refunds are available if a domestic flight is canceled or delayed over three hours. The busiest airports are seeing the largest delays. New York area airports report multiple-hour delays. Newark flights are averaging over four hours late, LaGuardia departures are delayed 75 minutes, and JFK arrivals are delayed over 2.5 hours. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport faces delays of more than five hours. Washington Reagan National Airport canceled nearly 80 flights on Friday, and Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have all reported widespread delays and cancellations. International airports, including Amsterdam Schiphol, Toronto Pearson, and Tokyo Haneda, are also experiencing flight disruptions. Travelers are advised to plan ahead, check flight updates, and prepare for continued delays as the US government shutdown affects air travel across the country.