Recently, flying in the United States has been even more stressful due to the government shutdown, along with delays and cancellations at many airports. While the government shutdown has officially ended, does this mean flying is back to normal?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially canceled the Emergency Order on operating limitations on navigable airspace and reduced airline flights, but flights might not be back to standard operations.
A statement from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) says, “We encourage all passengers to continue monitoring updates directly with their airline, as it may take some time for carriers to fully resume regular services in the coming weeks.”
Please see the following update regarding the conclusion of the FAA’s Emergency Order: pic.twitter.com/zOwJ8fuTcX
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 17, 2025
While airlines return to full capacity, it’s still important to arrive early, be prepared for delays, and be patient as staff and other travelers deal with similar issues. While the number of canceled flights should be lower, as we’re already seeing at Orlando International Airport, cancellations are still possible.

Southwest Airlines also released a statement thanking passengers for their continued patience and how they’re ready to welcome everyone back on board. They’re aiming to make the journey “smooth, safe, and enjoyable,” and they pride themselves on having the lowest cancellation rate in the industry since 2023.

According to NPR, even though the shutdown is over, a “3% cut in flights remains as air traffic staffing slowly rebounds.” They also said it is expected to linger for at least a few more days, and the 3% cut in flights is from the original 6%. They said there could be continued staffing issues across airports and facilities.

As you head to the airport, stay attentive and keep up to date on your flight using the airline’s app, social media, and announcements throughout the airport.
In the meantime, keep following AllEars for more.
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