Houston’s air travel system is experiencing further disruptions as a record-breaking federal shutdown continues, leading to reduced flight schedules. United, Southwest, and American Airlines, the country’s three largest carriers, are scaling back their operations in response to ongoing staffing shortages and safety concerns affecting Houston’s airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also mandated a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 major markets, including Houston.
United Airlines, which has its largest hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, announced a roughly 4% reduction in domestic flights since the third quarter of 2025. The airline stated that these reductions are “prudent adjustments” to the fleet’s utilization rate, specifically by cutting back on off-peak flights during lower-demand days.
Southwest Airlines, serving Houston Hobby Airport, confirmed it would reduce its flight schedules in the coming months. In a statement to KHOU 11, the Dallas-based airline explained it would adjust its network as needed to manage the shutdown’s impact on staffing and airport operations. Southwest emphasized its commitment to minimizing disruptions while ensuring the safety of employees and customers.
Similarly, American Airlines is adjusting its schedules to maintain operational reliability during the shutdown. The airline informed KHOU that while most cuts are minor, it has reduced the number of daily flights on certain routes to correspond with staffing levels and maintain safety standards.
As Thanksgiving approaches, less than three weeks away, airlines have been advising travelers to prepare for longer wait times and fewer flight options. Industry experts, including Ryan Jones, CEO of the travel app Flighty, caution that the shutdown might exacerbate vulnerabilities in the system. Jones recommends using real-time platforms like X or Reddit for airport-specific updates, highlighting that Flighty provides alerts based on the same data available to pilots, often well ahead of airline updates to passengers.