As flight delays continue, here's how to make your airport experience less stressful

By Charles Passy

Airports have already been plagued by delays because of the government shutdown. And bad weather, such as Monday's Nor'easter can have an additional impact.

One travel expert's advice for flying during the federal government shutdown: "Plan like a pessimist and travel like an optimist."

With the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, travelers are starting to find that flight delays and cancellations are becoming a fact of life.

It has to do with staffing shortages: Because they are essential workers, federal aviation-safety employees - including air-traffic controllers - are required to stay on the job during the shutdown, but they're not getting paid. In turn, that often prompts those employees to call in sick or skip work for other reasons, as was the case during the 2018-19 shutdown.

Add to that the perennial possibility of bad weather affecting travel. On Monday, a Nor'easter has had a major impact, resulting in more than 14,000 flights being delayed and nearly 500 cancelled.

So, what should travelers do when they're considering booking a flight? Or if they've already booked one, what might they want to keep in mind to make life easier? MarketWatch spoke to travel experts and professionals, and gathered answers to those and other questions.

Should you plan on flying during the shutdown?

If you have no choice but to travel by air - say, for work or to attend a family event - well, you have no choice. But if you're weighing your options - especially if you're considering traveling by car, train or bus as an alternative - you need to factor in the possibility for those flight delays and cancellations and make your decision accordingly. As Tiffany Funk, co-founder of Point.me, an online flight-search tool, put it: "Everyone should consider their 'hassle tolerance' for travel in the coming weeks."

Similarly, Paul Whitten, founder of tour operator Nashville Adventures, said the key is to expect the worst and then make the necessary preparations, including building in extra time for travel. "My advice is simple: Plan like a pessimist and travel like an optimist," he said.

One option suggested by Julian Kheel, chief executive of Points Path, a platform for award-search travel: Pay for a flexible ticket rather than the basic-economy option. Sure, it's more expensive, but "refundable or changeable tickets provide far more peace of mind if delays become widespread," he noted.

And if you're considering vacationing in a faraway place in the coming weeks, Alex Alioto, co-founder of vacation-rental platform Whimstay, suggests now is the time to think about drive-to destinations instead. "Not only does this eliminate the stress and unpredictability of navigating airport disruptions, but it also opens up opportunities to discover hidden gems in your own region," he said.

Does it make a difference which airport you choose to fly in or out of?

The short answer: Who knows? Certain major airports have already been plagued with problems, including those in Chicago, Nashville and Dallas. And let's not forget Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which is known to experience delays.

At the same time, smaller regional airports might also be particularly problematic, according to Funk. "Those airports are lightly staffed at the best of times," she said.

Travelers can look for alternative airports that might be a known better bet or have not seen major delays so far. But here's the caveat: This is a fluid situation and problems can easily spread to other airports, as officials have already warned.

There is one tool that may give you an idea of how airports are faring, at least day by day: FlightAware's MiseryMap, which tracks delays and cancelations at airports across the U.S.

How much earlier should you get to the airport?

There's almost universal agreement about this: You need to be there at least two hours ahead of your flight, but three hours is an even safer bet. That's especially because the staffing shortage could involve Transportation Security Administration workers - in other words, the folks who see you through those security checkpoints at airports. And that potentially means longer waits for screenings.

In that regard, it may also be better to check your luggage rather than carry it on, Funk said. That's because if, for some reason, your bag needs a secondary screening, it could add plenty of time to the equation. "Operations will be slow," Funk warned.

If your flight is delayed or canceled because of shutdown-related reasons, are you entitled to a refund?

It depends. Generally speaking, U.S. airlines "aren't required to pay compensation for most delays," said Kheel. But carriers have different policies in place, depending upon different scenarios - and the U.S. Transportation Department has a good guide to seeing what you might be entitled to as it pertains to each individual airline's rules.

One thing also worth noting: If an airline cancels a flight or makes a significant change, you are entitled to a full refund if you choose not to travel. The Transportation Department says this rule applies regardless of the reason for the cancellation or change.

What about travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance can protect you in various ways, but this all depends on what type you purchase. "Standard insurance policies usually do not cover delays or cancellations that result from government shutdowns," said Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, a company that specializes in insurance solutions.

That's why he and others suggest considering what's known as a "cancel for any reason" policy. As its name implies, it offers far more robust coverage. But beware: Such a policy may have its own limitations, such as refunding only 50% to 75% of the trip costs.

Anything else to consider?

You might want to book your flight with points rather than cash. While policies vary from airline to airline, some carriers don't charge fees for making changes with points-booked flights. And given the uncertainty that surrounds air travel right now, the option to make changes in the most cost-efficient way could be valuable.

Also, keep in mind that if your travel plans include national parks or other federally operated sites, you might be in for a rude awakening. The shutdown is also affecting some of those destinations, or curtailing certain operations within them. So before you book that flight to see that park, you should check to make sure it will be open.

If you're just starting out on your money or career journey and have questions about how to navigate your finances, we want to hear from you. Write to Dollar Signs, MarketWatch's new advice column, at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

-Charles Passy

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10-13-25 1134ET