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This ‘MiseryMap’ Shows Just How Bad the Shutdown Is Wrecking Air Travel

Erika Willitzer
Oct 4
2 min read

If you’ve been to an airport lately and thought, “Wow, this feels like a scene from a disaster movie,” you’re not wrong. Since the U.S. government shut down on October 1, 2025, air travel has turned into a full-blown mess—and FlightAware’s infamous MiseryMap is here to prove it.

Click the Misery Map below for up to date travel issues:

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Delays Are Soaring

According to FlightAware, more than 16,000 flights have been delayed since the shutdown began, and the numbers keep climbing. On October 9 alone, over 7,200 flights were delayed—the highest single-day total since the shutdown started.

Airports from Newark to San Francisco are reporting wait times of over an hour, and TSA checkpoints are backed up as agents work without pay.

The MiseryMap, a real-time visualization tool, shows a grim picture: red and orange lines crisscrossing the country, each one representing a delayed or canceled flight. It’s like a heat map of travel frustration.

What’s Causing the Chaos?

Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are working without pay, and many are calling out sick due to financial strain.
Staffing shortages are leading to reduced flight schedules and longer wait times.
Weather disruptions are compounding the problem, especially on the East Coast and in Phoenix.

The result? A perfect storm of delays, cancellations, and traveler misery.

What Travelers Should Know

If you’re flying soon, here’s how to survive the shutdown skies:

Check the MiseryMap before you leave home: FlightAware MiseryMap
Arrive early—like, really early. TSA lines are unpredictable.
Pack snacks and patience: You might be spending more time in terminals than you planned.
Consider travel insurance if you’re booking new flights during the shutdown.

Misery Loves Company (But You Can Be Prepared)

The MiseryMap isn’t just a clever name—it’s a brutally honest snapshot of how the shutdown is impacting real people, in real time. Whether you’re a business traveler, a family on fall break, or a small-town entrepreneur trying to make a connection, this shutdown is more than politics—it’s personal.

So check the map, brace yourself, and maybe pack a neck pillow. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.