American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines Face Disruptions—New Bipartisan Bill Could Save Future Travel Chaos by Securing Air Traffic Controller Pay

Published on November 19, 2025

American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines face disruptions—new bipartisan bill could save future travel chaos by securing air traffic controller pay. A major U.S. legislative effort has emerged just in time for the holiday travel rush, aiming to safeguard the aviation system against the costly fallout of federal shutdowns. The proposed law would tap a little‑used insurance fund with a reported balance of approximately $2.6 billion to ensure that air traffic controllers continue to receive pay during future funding lapses, thereby keeping flights flowing smoothly and protecting travellers, airlines, and hospitality sectors from repeated havoc.

American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines Face Disruptions—New Bipartisan Bill Could Save Future Travel Chaos by Securing Air Traffic Controller Pay

Travelers across the globe have long experienced the occasional delays or cancellations associated with air travel. However, the recent disruptions due to the government shutdown have put the aviation industry—and by extension, the tourism and hospitality sectors—under intense scrutiny. With over 3 million passengers affected by flight cancellations and delays in just a few weeks, it’s become clear that flight reliability is crucial to maintaining the smooth flow of tourism. Now, a new bipartisan bill in Congress aims to address these disruptions by ensuring that air traffic controllers are paid during future government shutdowns, offering a potential solution to this crisis.

Airlines, including heavyweights like American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines, have been forced to face the aftermath of these shutdown-related disruptions. With frequent flight cancellations, delays, and significant flight cuts, both airlines and hotels are feeling the financial strain. As the holidays approach and travelers prepare for winter vacations, the new bill could be a game-changer, providing the stability that both passengers and businesses have been desperately seeking.

Air Traffic Control Crisis: American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines Prepare for Disruptions

The recent government shutdown left thousands of travelers stranded and disrupted the lives of millions, all due to the lack of federal funding to pay air traffic controllers. The issue at hand is that air traffic controllers are considered essential personnel, but they are often forced to work without pay during a shutdown, which leads to staffing shortages and, inevitably, delays. American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines—three of the largest U.S. carriers—were directly impacted by this issue.

The widespread disruptions caused chaos for passengers trying to travel to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, and even international travelers felt the ripple effect. With air traffic control centers understaffed, hundreds of flights were delayed and many more were canceled. While the airlines did their best to reroute passengers and offer compensation, the underlying issue remained: a lack of funding for air traffic controllers during shutdowns.

As airlines like American, Delta, and United Airlines face ongoing operational disruptions, the introduction of the bipartisan bill to ensure air traffic controllers are paid during future shutdowns is a welcomed relief. This proposed legislation aims to mitigate the adverse effects that government shutdowns have on the aviation sector, promising to protect both air traffic controllers’ pay and the overall safety of air travel.

The Impact on U.S. Airlines and the Hospitality Industry: A Key to Stability

American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines have seen the most significant impact from this issue, as they operate at major hubs that are most susceptible to disruptions during government shutdowns. These disruptions not only affect the airlines’ operational efficiency but also ripple through the tourism and hospitality sectors. The U.S. tourism industry, valued at over $1.9 trillion annually, relies heavily on stable air travel to maintain its position as a leading global tourism destination.

Hotels, resorts, and other hospitality services around the U.S. are feeling the effects of flight delays and cancellations. Travelers are hesitant to book vacations or business trips if they cannot rely on their flights being on time. The increase in cancellations also leads to hotel room vacancies and lost revenue for tourism-related businesses. As airlines are forced to cancel flights, hotel operators in cities like Orlando, New York City, and Las Vegas, which rely heavily on tourism, experience a decline in guest bookings, leading to a ripple effect that can take weeks to recover from.

For tourists planning to visit the U.S., this situation presents a unique set of challenges. With flight reliability uncertain during shutdowns, travelers may find themselves rebooking flights or changing their entire itinerary at the last minute. For tourists planning to stay in hotels, there’s a growing concern over potential last-minute booking cancellations and unavailability due to shifting flight schedules.

A New Bipartisan Bill: The Promise of Future Travel Stability

In response to these ongoing issues, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. has introduced new legislation aimed at preventing future disruptions caused by government shutdowns. The bill proposes using the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, which currently holds approximately $2.6 billion, to secure pay for air traffic controllers during a shutdown. The fund was initially created after the September 11 attacks to cover airlines’ insurance claims, but the legislation suggests it could be used to maintain staffing levels at air traffic control towers across the nation.

The proposal aims to ensure that air traffic controllers are paid on time, reducing the likelihood of flight cancellations, delays, and staffing shortages at the FAA. With this security in place, airlines can operate more reliably, knowing that air traffic control will remain fully staffed and functional during shutdowns. This, in turn, could provide the stability needed for both airlines and the hospitality industry to regain their footing after the disruptive effects of previous shutdowns.

Flight Details and What Travelers Need to Know

Travelers heading to or from major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, which are major hubs for American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines, should be aware of potential disruptions during any future shutdowns. While the bipartisan bill would provide a safety net for air traffic controllers’ pay, travelers should still prepare for potential delays and cancellations, especially if a government shutdown coincides with their travel dates.

Airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines offer flights to hundreds of domestic and international destinations, but these popular airlines often experience delays due to government shutdowns, as they rely on the federal government for air traffic control services. For example, American Airlines offers direct flights from New York to cities like London, Paris, and Los Angeles, while Delta operates major routes from Atlanta and Minneapolis to destinations such as Tokyo, Cancun, and Orlando. United Airlines, another major carrier, provides nonstop flights from Chicago to international cities like Frankfurt and Beijing.

Travelers should consider the following tips to avoid being impacted by possible flight delays or cancellations during future shutdowns:

1. Book Flights with Flexibility: Opt for refundable tickets or flights with flexible change policies to reduce the risk of financial loss if your flight is delayed or canceled. Many airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and United, offer flexible booking options for travelers.
2. Check Flight Status Regularly: Use airline apps and websites to monitor your flight’s status, especially during high-traffic travel periods like the holidays.
3. Allow Extra Time for Transfers: If you have connecting flights, ensure that you allow enough time for potential delays at your connecting airport. Flight delays can easily cause missed connections, so always plan accordingly.
4. Prepare for Longer Wait Times at Airports: During shutdowns, airport security and customs procedures can slow down due to reduced staffing. Give yourself extra time to clear security and get to your gate.
5. Consider Alternative Airports: If your primary airport faces significant delays, look for alternative airports nearby. For example, if flights out of New York’s JFK are heavily delayed, you may consider flying from nearby LaGuardia or Newark airports.

The Road Ahead for U.S. Tourism and the Hospitality Industry

The U.S. tourism industry is one of the world’s largest and most profitable, contributing billions to the economy every year. However, disruptions caused by flight cancellations and delays have taken a toll on both travelers and the hospitality industry. For major U.S. cities and the hotels that cater to international tourists, it’s crucial that air travel disruptions be minimized to ensure that business continues as usual.

The bipartisan bill introduced in Congress represents a promising step toward stabilizing the aviation industry during future shutdowns. If passed, it would reduce the risks posed by staffing shortages in air traffic control towers, ultimately ensuring that the U.S. remains a reliable and attractive destination for tourists from around the world.

For hotels and resorts, the stability brought by this bill could result in fewer cancellations and more consistent bookings. The hospitality industry in cities like Las Vegas, Orlando, and New York City would likely see an uptick in tourist arrivals as flight reliability improves. With smoother travel experiences and fewer disruptions, international visitors will be more inclined to plan trips to the U.S., boosting occupancy rates and increasing revenue for tourism-dependent businesses.

The Future of U.S. Travel and Tourism

As the new bipartisan bill makes its way through Congress, there is hope that air traffic controllers’ pay will be secured during future government shutdowns. This proposed solution offers a glimpse of a future where U.S. airlines can operate with greater stability, providing a seamless travel experience for both American and international tourists.

For American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, and other major carriers, this bill represents a potential turning point, enabling them to avoid disruptions that have long plagued the aviation industry. Travelers can look forward to smoother flights, fewer cancellations, and a more reliable air travel system. Meanwhile, the hospitality industry, including hotels, resorts, and other tourism-related businesses, will benefit from increased tourist arrivals and stable bookings.

American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines face disruptions as a new bipartisan bill aims to secure air traffic controller pay during future government shutdowns. This legislation seeks to prevent chaos in air travel and protect both airlines and the tourism industry from costly delays.

Ultimately, this legislation could be the solution that stabilizes both the aviation and hospitality industries in the U.S., ensuring that travel remains safe, efficient, and enjoyable for all. The future of U.S. tourism depends on it.