Long screening lines at several U.S. airports during the partial federal government shutdown have prompted major carriers to let some passengers cancel or rebook without fees. With Transportation Security Administration officers unpaid for weeks and some quitting, travelers have faced hours-long waits at checkpoints and uncertainty about how early to arrive. Lawmakers have not approved funding for the Department of Homeland Security, prolonging the situation.
Passengers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston reported waits as long as five to six hours, leading to missed flights. One traveler said she missed multiple flights before trying again, and industry observers say airlines are responding to mounting disruption at key hubs such as Houston and Atlanta.
What the airlines are offering:
– Allegiant: Launched a ‘travel with confidence’ program allowing eligible customers traveling during the shutdown to change or cancel itineraries without additional change fees. For a limited period, some bookings can be canceled for a refund. Customers should contact Allegiant by phone, chat, text or email and are advised to allow extra time for TSA screening and check local airport channels for projected wait times.
– Delta: Issued a waiver focused on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where the airline advises allowing at least four hours for domestic and international screening. Passengers traveling on affected days may rebook to travel on or before March 30, and Delta will waive fare differences for rebookings in the same cabin.
– United: On flights to or from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental, United is waiving change fees and fare differences for certain travelers whose original travel dates were March 23–24. Rescheduled travel must be on or before March 31, within the same cabin, and between the same origin and destination.
Travelers should monitor communications from their airline and airport for the latest waivers and projected checkpoint wait times, and plan to arrive earlier than usual while the shutdown continues.