Don’t expect SFO flight delays to recover right away
Daily SFO flight cancellations since FAA air traffic cuts: A visual chart presents the number of daily flight cancellations between Nov. 7 and Nov. 13, 2025, ranging from 39 to 59.
Even after the record-long federal government shutdown ends, flight delays at SFO will persist for at least a few days, if not longer.
The big picture: This section provides detailed insights into FAA’s air traffic cuts, the repercussions on SFO airlines, and the percentage-based data on flight cancellations.
The latest: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has communicated their plans concerning the easing of FAA restrictions.
What they’re saying: Inputs from various stakeholders, such as Airlines for America and SFO spokesperson, touch upon the recovery process and render advice to affected travelers.
Zoom out: This part discusses the necessary preparations airlines are undertaking to restore regular flight operations.
Behind the scenes: Steve Olson, senior VP at JetBlue, comments on the utilization of reserve crews and the evaluation of staff availability for the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
Flashback: Here, we recall the post-effects of the 2019 government shutdown on the air traffic controllers.
Our thought bubble: Axios’ Colin Demarest sheds light on existing issues related to controller staffing, training, and pay, which have been prevalent even before the shutdown and continue to persist.
