Experts Warn Holiday Travelers Could Face Weeks of Delays After the Shutdown — Here’s What to Expect

Airports won’t fully recover overnight — here’s what travelers should be ready for in the coming weeks.

Holiday travel is stressful enough, but a 43-day government shutdown (the longest in U.S. history) is going to leave a mark on the weeks ahead. Agencies like TSA, the FAA, and passport services are working to rebuild staffing, clear backlogs, and get operations running at full speed again. That means travelers should be ready for slower lines, flight delays, weather hiccups, and some unpredictable timing during the busiest travel period of the year.

The guidance comes from Squaremouth, a major U.S. travel insurance comparison platform that has been tracking post-shutdown disruptions. (And the travel insurance platform I personally use.) Their Senior Director of Operations, Chrissy Valdez, says travelers should prepare for lingering impacts as the holiday rush ramps up.

“Though the government has reopened, it will take some time before key agencies such as TSA, FAA, and passport services are fully staffed and running efficiently again,” shares Valdez. “For those taking holiday trips, be prepared for longer wait times, flight delays, weather-related disruptions, and other interruptions as we’re amid peak travel season.”

Here’s a clear breakdown of what travelers should expect and how to protect their trip as the system catches up.

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Arrive Earlier Than You Normally Would

If you usually slide into the airport 90 minutes before your flight, this is not the year for that. TSA is rebuilding staffing after the shutdown, and airports were already dealing with record crowds.

For domestic flights, experts recommend arriving 2–3 hours early; for international trips, 3–4 hours is safer.

Monitoring your flight through your airline’s app is non-negotiable right now. Delays, gate changes, and rolling disruptions can hit without much warning.

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Expect Slower Lines Across the Board

Even though the government reopened, agencies don’t snap back to full staffing instantly. TSA checkpoints, FAA operations centers, and passport control may see longer lines as employees return and schedules reset.

If your airport posts wait times on social media, keep an eye on it before you leave home. And remember: missing your flight because of long airport lines isn’t something travel insurance reimburses — you still have to plan for delays.

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Prepare for Flight Delays and Tight Turnarounds

Morning flights are your friend right now. They tend to be less affected by the cascading delays that build throughout the day, especially during winter weather season.

If you have a connection, give yourself more time than usual. Tight layovers are riskier with FAA operations still ramping back up.

Having your airline’s app downloaded also gives you another advantage: you’ll be able to rebook faster if your flight gets canceled or heavily delayed.

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Pack Smart and Keep Essentials in Your Carry-On

Keep medications, chargers, valuables, and a spare outfit in your carry-on. If a delay causes you to miss a connection, or if your bag gets held up, you’ll be glad you weren’t relying on your checked luggage.

Trackers like AirTags still help during chaotic periods, and taking photos of the contents of your bag is a great backup if you need to file a lost luggage claim.

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Consider Travel Insurance With the Right Coverage

Travel insurance can’t fix airport lines, but it can save you money when your itinerary goes sideways.
Valdez recommends looking for policies that include:

• Trip Delay
• Trip Interruption
• Missed Connections
• Baggage Delay
• Baggage Loss

These benefits can help recoup costs from hotel stays, meal expenses, lost items, or missed segments if the shutdown’s ripple effects hit your trip.

“Travelers can take back more control with just a few simple steps,” adds Valdez. “Arriving early, monitoring flights, and confirming your coverage are small steps that can make a huge impact on your holiday travel plans.”

Squaremouth has a detailed breakdown of how shutdowns affect coverage, and it’s worth skimming if you’re flying in the next few weeks.

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Another Shutdown Is Still a Possibility

The current shutdown is over — but politically, nothing is guaranteed. Travelers booking winter or early-2026 trips may want to double-check how their insurance treats government-related disruptions.

Keeping your Known Traveler Number updated in your frequent flyer profiles can also help speed things up if you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

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If You’re Traveling This Season, Patience Will Help More Than Anything

Airports are going to feel the squeeze for a bit. Lines will be longer, delays will happen, and some days will simply be messy. But knowing what to expect — and planning around the current realities — can take a lot of the stress out of holiday travel.

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