The U.S. government shutdown entered its 36th consecutive day Wednesday, making this the longest shutdown in our nation’s history.
Democratic and Republican leaders have reached a stalemate regarding healthcare funding for thousands of Americans, and a resolution remains uncertain.
For every day citizens, the shutdown has already resulted in major disruptions to travel and federal benefits programs. As the closure continues, these disruptions are likely to mount.
With the Thanksgiving travel rush just weeks away, you might be wondering how the shutdown could impact your upcoming flight.
Here’s what to know and how to prepare.
Delays and cancellations at O’Hare and Midway
As of Wednesday, November 5, the average delay time at both O’Hare and Midway was less than 15 minutes, according to data from Fly Chicago. O’Hare also logged 8 flight cancellations on Wednesday.
While the current numbers show relatively minimal delays and cancellations, federal officials have stated that conditions could become dire if the shutdown isn’t resolved prior to holiday travel season.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of “mass chaos” at airports nationwide. On Thursday the FAA announced that major cuts to flights could begin as early as this Sunday if the shutdown carries on.
Longer wait times at TSA
In addition to potential flight cancellations and delays, Chicago travelers could see longer wait times airport security checkpoints due to TSA staffing shortages.
While the standard is to arrive at the airport two hours before one’s flight, flyers should plan to arrive even earlier to account for any additional delays.
Shutdown coincides with Chicago’s highest travel numbers ever
The shutdown delays comes as air travel numbers in Chicago have hit a record high. O’Hare marked its busiest month in history over the summer, welcoming 8.26 million flyers in July.
Additionally, O’Hare saw a 6.4% increase in traffic overall in the first 7 months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from the Chicago Department of Aviation.
Taking these numbers into account, the holiday travel season could result in record-pushing crowds at Chicago airports.