When headlines turn to a government shutdown, it’s natural to wonder what that means for your upcoming travel plans. Sentient Jet is here to keep you informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.
Here’s what’s happening: the U.S. government shutdown is creating challenges across the aviation system—including private air travel. When agencies such as Air Traffic Control (ATC), Customs, and TSA experience staffing shortages, travelers may encounter delays, limited airspace capacity, and scheduling adjustments. While these situations can be inconvenient, rest assured that safety is never compromised.
Private aircraft share the same airspace as commercial flights, which means they can experience similar delays during a government shutdown. Beginning Monday, November 10, 2025, the FAA has temporarily restricted private aircraft operations at 12 major U.S. airports related to the ongoing shutdown. Naturally, emergency and air-ambulance flights are exempt.
Airports impacted include:
ATL • BOS • ORD • DFW • DEN • IAH • JFK • LAX • EWR • PHX • DCA • SEA
These airports represent some of the busiest airspace in the country, so travelers may also see ripple effects at nearby regional airports. Sentient Jet’s Flight Support, Safety, and Client Management teams are monitoring the situation 24/7 to help minimize disruption and coordinate alternate routing as needed.
How Sentient Jet is navigating this
At Sentient Jet, we’ve weathered every kind of air-traffic challenge—and our team is once again working around the clock to minimize disruption.
Proactive Flight Monitoring: Our Operations, Safety, Flight Tracking, and Client Management teams are in constant communication—tracking FAA updates and flight activity 24/7 to anticipate and adjust plans in real time.
Flexible Routing: When necessary, we will coordinate alternate airports and re-route flights to e
nsure clients reach their destinations efficiently and with as little interruption as possible.
Conservative Scheduling: To reduce the risk of crew timeouts or cascading delays, we’re building in additional scheduling margins—an approach that helps protect your travel plans amid evolving conditions.
So far, we have not experienced any major disruptions to Card Owner travel. Our teams continue to work seamlessly behind the scenes to ensure every trip upholds the safety, precision, and peace of mind you expect from Sentient Jet. We’ll keep sharing updates promptly and transparently, so you’re always informed before you fly.
Travel tips during the shutdown
A little flexibility goes a long way right now. Here are a few tips to help make your travel days smoother:
- Be Flexible: Adjusting your departure window—even by an hour or two—can make a big difference.
- Consider Alternate Airports: Regional airports are often less affected than the major hubs.
- Plan for Customs Delays: International travelers may see longer processing times.
- Expect Slower Operations: Especially in areas of high volume, like South Florida or the NYC corridor.
And remember, our Flight Support team is here for you 24/7—constantly monitoring conditions and ready to assist with any re-routing, re-scheduling, or last-minute adjustments to your trip.
Bottom line
A government shutdown can disrupt flight schedules—but it doesn’t have to disrupt your plans.
With Sentient Jet’s proactive operations, dedicated client support, and unwavering commitment to safety, we’re doing everything possible to keep your travel seamless, informed, and stress-free.
Frequently asked questions
What’s causing the current disruption in air travel? The FAA reports that more than half of the nation’s major air traffic control centers are currently understaffed, meaning fewer controllers are managing the same volume of air traffic. To maintain safety and spacing in busy airspace, the FAA has implemented traffic flow programs—temporary measures designed to manage how many aircraft can depart or arrive at a given time. As a result, travelers may experience longer taxi times, ground delays, or adjusted departure slots. Safety standards remain uncompromised. These measures simply help keep air traffic organized and safe while staffing levels are reduced.
Are private flights affected by the shutdown? Yes. Private flights may experience delays, rerouting, or temporary restrictions at high-traffic airports due to ATC staffing limitations.
Is it still safe to fly? Absolutely. All safety protocols remain in place and uncompromised. The challenges are operational, not safety-related.
Why are delays occurring? Reduced staffing at ATC means fewer flights can be handled simultaneously, leading to traffic management programs and longer wait times.
What are “flow programs” or “ground stops”? These are FAA tools that manage congestion and maintain safety by controlling when and how many flights can depart or arrive in certain airspace.
Contact us
Have a question about upcoming travel? Contact us at 866.602.0044