Over 1,200 U.S. flights vanished Friday after the Trump administration slashed schedules to protect overworked, unpaid air traffic controllers. The cuts hit 40 major airports, including Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered reductions starting at 4%, rising to 10% next week if the shutdown drags on. FlightAware tracked the chaos in real time, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Chicago O’Hare suffering the heaviest losses.

Essential aviation workers—13,000 controllers and 50,000 TSA agents—have gone without pay since funding lapsed October 1. Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over health insurance subsidies and budget cuts. The Senate failed for the 15th time Friday to pass a short-term funding bill. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed Democrats, calling their stance “shameful” despite GOP control of Congress. The shutdown now exceeds six weeks, the longest in U.S. history.

Airlines moved fast to comply. American cut 220 flights daily, Delta axed 170 on Friday, and Southwest dropped around 100. Thursday saw 6,800 delays and 200 cancellations, with security lines stretching over two hours at Boston, Newark, and Reagan National. Passengers vented frustration at LaGuardia: retiree Werner Buchi warned of Thanksgiving disaster, while traveler Rhonda, 65, said the impasse is “hurting a lot of people.” Car rentals spiked 20% as flyers fled to highways.

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The crisis looms largest over the holiday travel surge. Cirium predicts up to 1,800 daily cancellations and 268,000 lost seats if cuts deepen. TSA reports an 11% drop in early November traffic compared to last year. Fares are climbing, bookings are falling, and absenteeism among stressed workers is rising. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom called the situation “frustrating” on CNBC. The administration insists flying remains safe, but frontline fatigue grows.

With no deal in sight, the aerial fallout exposes Washington’s dysfunction. Polls show public anger mounting against Republicans. President Trump faces pressure to break the stalemate before Thanksgiving turns into a national travel meltdown. The skies, once a symbol of American efficiency, now mirror the gridlock below—one canceled flight at a time.

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