# US Government Shutdown Hitting Airlines Hard: What You Need to Know

United Airlines just announced a major shake-up—starting November 7, they're cutting domestic flights at 40 US airports due to FAA/DOT orders during the government shutdown. But here's the interesting part: they're being **strategic** about it.

International long-haul and hub-to-hub connections stay untouched (gotta keep the money routes alive), while regional and domestic flights take the hit. The airline's still planning to run ~4,000 flights daily, so it's not a complete meltdown.

**The silver lining for passengers:**
- **Everyone gets refunds** right now—even non-refundable/basic economy tickets
- Cancellations = automatic rebooking with options
- Early November sees increased seat availability, so there's wiggle room

This is a classic example of how government shutdowns ripple through the economy. The FAA literally can't do normal operations, so airlines have to throttle back. United's playing it smart by protecting their profitable routes while absorbing the hit on less critical flights.

**The bigger picture:** If this shutdown drags on, expect more airlines to follow suit. Passengers flying domestic in early November should stay alert and monitor their apps for changes.