[Updated] Hawaii Travelers Face Flight Chaos As FAA Cuts Loom

Update November 6, 1:40 p.m. HST: Hawaiian/Alaska, United, Delta, Southwest and American now offer changes or refunds for FAA-impacted flights. Hawaii flights remain eligible for penalty-free changes.

See our latest update on Hawaii flight cancellations just announced – live udates.

We joined Hawaii News Now anchor Ben Gutierrez on tonight’s 10 p.m. TV broadcast to discuss what could happen if the FAA’s planned 10% air-traffic reduction takes effect. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the nation’s longest-ever federal shutdown has stretched into its second month, just three weeks before Hawaii Thanksgiving travel begins.

Why the FAA is cutting flights to Hawaii.

The FAA says it plans to reduce air-traffic capacity by 10% at 40 major airports due to controller shortages during the ongoing shutdown. The move is meant to ease pressure on overworked staff until normal operations resume.

Honolulu International is among the 40 airports identified for possible cuts, along with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Oakland, and San Diego. These represent primary gateways for travelers to Hawaii.

Why this matters for Hawaii.

Hawaii’s air network is uniquely fragile. Every visitor flight begins on the mainland, and a 10% cut at those feeder cities immediately reduces the number of seats into and out of Honolulu and the neighbor islands. The ripple effect could mean higher fares, fewer flights, and limited rebooking options during peak holiday periods.

What we told Hawaii News Now.

When Ben asked what travelers should do right now, our answer was trip insurance, but not just any policy. Standard trip insurance will not cover government shutdowns or FAA-mandated flight cuts because these are now considered “known events” once announced, similar to a named hurricane. The only coverage that may apply is Cancel For Any Reason (“CFAR”), which allows broader cancellation flexibility. CFAR policies must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment and typically reimburse up to 75% of nonrefundable costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure. We recommend checking options from InsureMyTrip, Squaremouth, or Travel Guard that specifically include CFAR coverage.

We know firsthand how trip insurance can help. On our recent flight from the Cook Islands to Tahiti, an engine failure forced an unexpected stay that added hotel and car-rental expenses. Trip insurance covered it completely.

How Hawaii’s airlines would be affected.

Beat of Hawaii co-founder Rob noted that Hawaiian/Alaska Airlines operates 19 aircraft dedicated to inter-island service. Those planes could continue flying, but their schedules could depend heavily on meeting the needs of connecting inbound mainland passengers. A slowdown in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle would cascade across the islands.

Southwest Airlines would be even more vulnerable. Its inter-island flights use the same planes that operate between the West Coast and Hawaii. If the mainland schedule is reduced in any way, Hawaii’s inter-island capacity could shrink almost overnight.

What travelers should watch for now.

If the FAA reduction takes effect, expect fewer seats and limited rebooking options. Airlines may consolidate flights or adjust departure times. Watch for emails, texts, and app notifications from your airline, and ensure your contact information is up to date and that notifications are enabled. This is how carriers send real-time rebooking notices, gate changes, or delay updates that can make the difference between getting home and getting stranded.

What travelers can do now.

1. Buy CFAR trip insurance coverage within 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment. Standard policies will not cover known disruptions.
2. Book early for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel before remaining seats sell out.
3. Stay flexible with travel dates or connections.
4. Monitor airline notifications for any last-minute changes.

Note: If you already purchased standard trip insurance before the FAA announcement, contact your provider to verify whether your policy covers this potential government-related disruption.

Timing and next steps.

The FAA said Wednesday that decisions could come within days if Congress does not reach a shutdown resolution. Hawaii-centric airlines, including Hawaiian/Alaska and Southwest, have not yet released contingency plans.

A prolonged shutdown could force schedule reductions and higher fares. The entire industry has acknowledged that it is working closely with the government, but has not announced anything further.

The ripple effect.

This is not a minor adjustment. Every cut in Los Angeles or San Francisco results in the removal of hundreds of daily seats to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Big Island. Airlines tend to prioritize higher-demand mainland routes first, leaving Hawaii service particularly exposed.

Hawaii’s air network depends entirely on those West Coast connections. When they slow, the islands feel it instantly.

Have you already booked your Hawaii holiday travel, or are you waiting to see how this plays out?