Do these 3 things to prep for CLT delays, cancellations amid government shutdown
Flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport are facing turbulence even before taking off due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 7, The Federal Aviation Administration is cutting air traffic by 10% across 40 of the busiest airports in the country to both maintain travel safety and relieve stress on air traffic controllers going unpaid, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
So far, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the only North Carolina airport forced to cut flights, with reductions currently at 4% and slated to rise over the next few days. The airport has faced more than 6,100 delayed flights since the shutdown began Oct. 1.
Despite the delays, there are some things travelers can do to prepare for any potential disruptions.
Here’s what you need to know.
Arrive early (and prepare for potential delays)
Travelers are encouraged to show up early so they have plenty of time for parking, shuttles, check-in and getting through security.
CLT officials recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours in advance for international flights.
The TSA notes that check-in deadlines depend on the airline and airport, but in “most cases, you must be at the gate no later than 10 to 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for domestic flights. For international flights this deadline may be 45 minutes or longer.”
It’s also a good idea to download your airline’s mobile app and make sure your contact info is updated to get real-time alerts about flight schedule changes.
Know your refund rights for delays, cancellations
Each airline has its own refund policies for delays and cancellations, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. But travelers are “entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.”
“If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on their first flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge. If this involves a significant delay, find out if another carrier has space and ask the first airline if they will endorse your ticket to the other carrier,” the department’s website states.
“If the purpose of your trip is to close a potentially lucrative business deal, give a speech or lecture, attend a family function, or connect to a cruise, you might want to allow a little extra leeway and take an earlier flight. In other words, airline delays aren’t unusual, and defensive planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration.”
Figure out an alternate route early
Can you reach your destination by car, bus or train? Having a plan B ahead of time can spare you a last-minute scramble.
Many airlines – including Delta Air Lines and American Airlines – are contacting customers directly. Although the Federal Aviation Administration announced limited communications due to the funding lapse, you can still check the latest updates for every airport at fly.faa.gov.
The News & Observer’s Richard Stradling contributed to this story.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 2:33 PM.
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