What was meant to be a festive Halloween weekend getaway has turned into a nightmare for thousands of travelers across the United States.
Severe weather and ongoing staffing shortages triggered by the government shutdown have brought airports nationwide to a near standstill, leaving frustrated passengers stranded and uncertain about when they’ll reach their destinations.
Thousands of Flights Hit by Delays and Cancellations
According to flight tracking site FlightAware, at least 787 flights had been delayed and 242 canceled by 9 a.m. ET on Friday morning.
The disruption shows no signs of slowing down. Just a day earlier, more than 7,200 flights were delayed and over 1,200 canceled nationwide — a staggering figure that underscores the scale of the travel chaos gripping the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned travelers to expect continued disruptions, citing both bad weather and staff shortages as key reasons.
Major hubs like Ronald Reagan Washington National and Newark International are already reporting delays ranging from 15 to 30 minutes.
Orlando Airport Faces Major Disruption
The situation was particularly dire in Orlando, Florida, where thousands of passengers were left stranded overnight.
The FAA confirmed that for a period of time, there were “no certified controllers” available to guide incoming planes, effectively preventing landings at one of the nation’s busiest airports — a hub for travelers heading to Disney World and Universal Studios.
Without certified air traffic controllers, incoming flights had to be diverted, and those already grounded faced lengthy delays.
The cascading effect rippled across the country, hitting other airports and causing knock-on delays for connecting flights.
Staffing Shortages Deepen as Shutdown Drags On
The government shutdown, which began on October 1, has placed a heavy burden on federal workers.
More than 13,000 air traffic controllers have been forced to work without pay, while others have been furloughed entirely.
The result has been a shrinking workforce trying to manage an overwhelming workload, leaving the FAA stretched thin and struggling to maintain operations at full capacity.
Weather Adds Another Layer of Trouble
As if the staffing crisis weren’t enough, storm systems sweeping across the Northeast have only made things worse.
The FAA’s Command Center reported that weather remains a primary cause of the ongoing travel disruption, with the storm expected to linger into Friday and create ripple effects well into the weekend.
Runways have been temporarily closed, and flights across the East Coast and California are now facing ground stops and lengthy delay programs.
Airports in Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington D.C., and Boston have been particularly affected.
A Frustrating Holiday for Travelers
For many passengers, this Halloween holiday has turned into a logistical nightmare — filled with long lines, missed connections, and sleepless nights in terminals.
Social media has flooded with frustrated posts from travelers stuck at airports, demanding answers from airlines and the FAA.
Officials have urged passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and prepare for possible changes throughout the day.
What Happens Next
With no resolution yet in sight for the government shutdown, there’s no clear timeline for when normal flight operations will resume.
The FAA continues to monitor conditions and has advised travelers to expect ongoing disruptions over the next few days as they work to manage both staffing shortages and weather-related challenges.
Until then, travelers across the country will have to summon a bit of Halloween patience — and hope that this frightening travel season soon finds its happy ending.