American Airlines and United Airlines made the most cuts between May 1 and September 30, 2023, followed by JetBlue and Delta Air Lines. American will drop nearly 4,800 flights arriving or departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia International Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Washington Reagan. United will drop around 4,300 flights from their New York and Washington operations. JetBlue will drop over 3,500 flights, while Delta will cut 1,983 flights.
The FAA is encouraging airlines to use bigger aircraft with fewer take-offs and landings to ensure flights take off on time and reduce the impact of natural weather events on air operations. As the FAA works through training backlogs and assignments, they are working on contingency plans to ensure safe flights along the impacted routes. One of these plans includes reassigning around 100 square miles of air traffic control at Newark from New York Terminal Radar Approach Control to Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control. Southwest Airlines also has the option to reduce flights, but so far, no schedule changes have been announced.
