How the Shutdown Will Continue to Affect Travel
A deal has been reached to end the US government shutdown, at least for the next three weeks. Friday's air traffic control issues at LaGuardia, which led to widespread delays all across the Northeast and as far away as Atlanta, showed how quickly the US aviation system can fall apart when it's understaffed. The issues sparked what seemed to be a quick deal to reopen the government only hours after the FAA issued an LGA groundstop.
While the temporary three-week timeframe is long enough to hopefully allow a smooth Super Bowl travel week, how soon should we expect to see things return to normal for ATC, TSA and the FAA?
A spokesperson for the FAA tells TPG via email that, "The FAA remains focused on maintaining the safety of our National Airspace System. We are grateful for our many dedicated professionals and their service throughout the lapse of funding. Over the coming days and weeks, the agency will assess immediate post-shutdown needs, prioritize those needs, and deploy the appropriate resources to address those needs." While the FAA works to clear its backlog of items, some much anticipated events will still be delayed.
Delta's inaugural flight of the A220 will still be delayed. Delta is currently hoping that the first flight of its much anticipated new aircraft will now take place on Feb. 7. The flight was originally set to get airborne on Jan. 31.
Flight operations from Paine Field have been pushed back even further by Alaska Airlines. They are now looking at commercial flights starting on March 4. Alaska had originally scheduled commercial operations to begin Feb. 11.
Even Southwest's Hawaii service will most likely still be delayed. The airline's CEO referred to the shutdown as "maddening" on an earnings call earlier this week. The company said that once the FAA is back to work it could take anywhere from six weeks to two months to finalize the certification for Hawaii flights. The airline had originally planned to have tickets on sale some time next week and planes operating flights as soon as February. Now, it looks like those flights wouldn't be departing until sometime in late March or April at the earliest.
For the TSA and ATC the end of the shutdown should have a more immediate effect for travelers. Issues with staffing that led to Friday's meltdown should no longer be a problem. That's assuming those long delayed paychecks go out to employees quickly. It's worth noting that during the shutdown, TSA did manage for the most part to keep security checkpoints open and screening times reasonable, although there were sporadic issues in the system. The use of the National Deployment Force — a group of agents sent to assist during peak demand — allowed TSA for the most part to keep things moving smoothly for travelers, even while up to 10% of its workforce was absent.
One blip on the radar, however, seems to be at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). In a statement released yesterday, officials at IAH said that the Terminal B TSA checkpoint will remain closed until further notice. Flights are operating out of Terminal B as normal, but travelers will have to access airside via another security checkpoint.
Outside of aviation, other federally funded institutions will be coming back as well. The Smithsonian, which has reportedly lost $1 million per week during the shutdown, will reopen at its normal hours on Jan. 29. The National Park Service — which has seen significant issues during the shutdown — issued the following statement (although the NPS website currently still displays a shutdown notice on the home page):
"Visitors should contact individual parks or visit park websites for their opening schedules and the latest information on accessibility and visitor services. Some parks which have been closed throughout the lapse in appropriations may not reopen immediately, but we will work to open all parks as quickly as possible."
It remains to be seen if the reopening of the US government will last beyond the current three-week window. We will be keeping an eye on the situation in the coming days and weeks.
This post has been updated as of 11:15am on 01/26/19.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees