By Megan Cerullo
Updated March 24, 2026 / 7:35 PM EDT / CBS News
Security screening lines at some U.S. airports have grown so long during the partial federal government shutdown that major carriers are allowing some passengers to cancel or rebook without fees. Travelers are facing hours-long waits at TSA checkpoints and confusion over how early to arrive. TSA officers, unpaid for weeks, are quitting, and lawmakers have not passed a spending bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Passengers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport reported waits of up to five hours, causing missed flights. One traveler, Summer Martinez, told CBS News she missed three flights and hoped a fourth attempt to fly to Tulsa would succeed. Eric Rosen, director of content for The Points Guy, said airlines appear to be responding to ongoing chaos at key hubs like Houston and Atlanta.
What airlines are doing:
– Allegiant: Issued a “travel with confidence” guarantee letting customers traveling during the shutdown change or cancel itineraries at no additional cost. For a limited time, eligible bookings have no change fees and offer the option to cancel for a refund. Customers must contact Allegiant customer service by phone, chat, text or email. The airline also urges travelers to allow extra time for TSA screening and to check local airport websites or social channels for projected wait times.
– Delta: The waiver applies specifically to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which recommends allowing at least four hours for domestic and international screening. Passengers traveling on Tuesday may rebook to fly on or before March 30. Delta will waive fare differences for rebookings in the same cabin as originally booked.
– United: United, which has already removed most ticket change fees, issued a special waiver for travelers to or from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where wait times have reached as long as six hours amid TSA absences. Passengers with original travel dates of March 23–24 may reschedule, with all change fees and fare differences waived. Conditions: the new flight must depart on or before March 31 and be in the same cabin and between the same cities as the original booking.
Travelers should check their airline and airport communications for the latest waivers and projected wait times and allow extra time at checkpoints while the shutdown continues.