If you’ve been checking flight prices or planning your college kid’s trip home for the holidays, hold onto your coffee cup, Mama because things just got real in the skies.
As the 2025 government shutdown drags on under the Trump administration, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to cut 10% of flights across 40 major U.S. airports. According to Reuters, CNN, and AP News, these cuts are intended to alleviate pressure on overworked and unpaid air-traffic controllers. Many of whom are calling in sick or are stretched thin after more than a month without pay.
So what does this mean? Fewer flights. Longer delays. A whole lot more “your flight has been rescheduled or canceled” notifications are popping up on your phone.
Why This Matters to Mamas (and Military Families Too)
Let’s be honest—the timing couldn’t be worse.
It’s right around the holidays, when many of us have already hit that “confirm purchase” button on flights to bring our college students home (cue the emotional airport reunion scene you’ve been daydreaming about since you dropped your “grown-ish” child off at college).
For military families, these cuts hit hard too. Whether you’re stationed away from extended family or planning a well-deserved visit home during the holidays, a 10% reduction in air traffic can mean canceled leave flights, expensive rebooking, or days stuck in an airport lounge instead of on the couch with hot cocoa or a walk down memory lane with stories shared about your childhood to your children.
And for your grown-ish college kids, it’s time for a quick reality check:
Talk to them now about what to do if their flight gets delayed or canceled, especially if they have connecting flights.
- Remind them to arrive at the airport extra early. None of this JIT (just in time) mess.
- Do they know how to rebook?
- Who to call?
- Do they have snacks, chargers, extra money (or access to a credit card just incase) and meds in their carry-on?
This is one of those life lessons that come without a textbook, and we want them to ace this exam with ease.
List of 40 Major Airports Affected by the 2025 Government Shutdown
According to AP News, The Guardian, People, and Politico, here are the 40 airports where flight reductions are expected:
ANC | Anchorage International
ATL | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
BOS | Boston Logan International
BWI | Baltimore/Washington International
CLT | Charlotte Douglas International
CVG | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
DAL | Dallas Love Field
DCA | Ronald Reagan Washington National
DEN | Denver International
DFW | Dallas/Fort Worth International
DTW | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
EWR | Newark Liberty International
FLL | Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
HNL | Honolulu International
HOU | Houston Hobby
IAD | Washington Dulles International
IAH | George Bush Houston Intercontinental
IND | Indianapolis International
JFK | John F. Kennedy International
LAS | Las Vegas McCarran International
LAX | Los Angeles International
LGA | New York LaGuardia
MCO | Orlando International
MDW | Chicago Midway International
MEM | Memphis International
MIA | Miami International
MSP | Minneapolis/St. Paul International
OAK | Oakland International
ONT | Ontario (California) International
ORD | Chicago O’Hare International
PDX | Portland International
PHL | Philadelphia International
PHX | Phoenix Sky Harbor International
SAN | San Diego International
SDF | Louisville International
SEA | Seattle/Tacoma International
SFO | San Francisco International
SLC | Salt Lake City International
TEB | Teterboro
TPA | Tampa International
If your flights—or your kiddo’s—connect through one of these major hubs, brace for potential changes. Even if your ticket’s from a smaller airport, a single delay at one of these locations can cause a ripple effect nationwide.
Real Talk: How MomJonz Is Handling It
You know we keep it real around here. Our very own MomJonz has two grown-ish college daughters with flights already booked to come home for the holidays. And yep, their flights land at an airport on this very list.
And because the universe likes to keep her on her toes, she’s also got an aunt flying in from across the country.
Want to know how she’s prepping for potential flight delays, cancellations, and all the holiday travel madness?
Welp… just follow along on our Facebook page — she’ll be sharing updates (and probably a few laughs) about how she’s navigating it all in true MomJonz fashion.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Check flight status daily – Delays can appear suddenly as schedules shift.
- Opt for direct flights – Fewer connections mean fewer chances to get stuck mid-route.
- Have your college child download their airline’s app – Any flight or gate changes are updated on the airline’s app, and a notification is sent immediately. Rebooking from your phone is faster than waiting in line at the gate.
- Pack smart – Keep medications, chargers, and snacks in your carry-on.
- Mentally prep – Expect hiccups and handle them like the seasoned travel-pro mama you are.
Final Sip of Wisdom
At Mamas and Coffee®️, we talk a lot about empowerment and perspective and this travel mess? It’s another reminder that we can’t control everything (not even the government). But we can control how we respond.
Whether your college student’s flight home is delayed or your military family’s plans get rerouted, take a deep breath, grab your coffee, and remember—you’ve handled tougher turbulence before.
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