The Government Is Partially Shutting Down (Yes, Again). Here’s What Travelers Need To Know.

The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown that, for now, affects only 1 cabinet-level department: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

That might sound like Washington insider news, but if you’ve got travel on the calendar, it’s something you should pay attention to — and take time to prepare for.

What’s happening with the shutdown, and how can this affect your trips? Read on to learn more and find our best tips for minimizing impact to your travels.

What’s Actually Happening With the Government Shutdown?

As of early Saturday, February 14, lawmakers in Congress failed to pass funding for DHS, triggering a lapse in appropriations. While the rest of the U.S. government remains funded through the fiscal year, the DHS — home to agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), FEMA, U.S. Coast Guard, and others — has officially shut down until funding is restored.

Here’s the key point: TSA agents and most other DHS employees are deemed “essential,” which means they are required to continue working even though they aren’t getting paid right now. That’s the same setup we saw during the record-long shutdown last year, and it’s a stressful situation for those employees.

The shutdown stems from a political impasse over immigration enforcement reforms. Democrats are tying DHS funding to specific policy changes, and Republicans have pushed back. As of now, there’s no immediate end in sight.

Again, it’s a partial shutdown. Air traffic control is still funded because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has its own appropriations, and flights aren’t being grounded en masse. But that doesn’t mean everything will run as smoothly as usual.

What Travelers Should Know (and Do)

Here’s where it gets real for anyone with an upcoming trip.

Airport Security Could Slow Down

With TSA agents working without pay, travel groups and airlines are warning that absenteeism and call-outs could be higher than normal, especially if the shutdown stretches into spring break season. That directly translates into longer security lines and heavier crowds — particularly at smaller airports where a handful of absences can have a big impact.

Security Lines Might Be Longer Than Normal

This isn’t a crisis yet, but we’ve seen how this plays out in the past: When you ask people to work without a paycheck, some eventually start missing shifts to find paid work or take care of personal needs. That’s exactly what happened in past shutdowns, and it’s why airports in Houston and other cities saw extra waiting times last time around.

Expect Flights To Operate as Normal

Because the FAA and air traffic control remain funded, your flight isn’t going to be canceled because of this shutdown alone. That’s a very different scenario from last year’s shutdown, when air traffic control also was unfunded.

Practical Travel Tips

If you’re traveling during the shutdown, here’s how you can minimize impacts on your trip:

• Arrive earlier than normal. Add an extra 30 to 60 minutes before departure; security could be slower than usual.
• Follow your airport on social media. Some airports will post real-time wait time updates and alerts.
• Check conditions at parks and attractions. National parks and Interior Department sites are funded separately and should remain open as usual, but double-check the park or museum website before you go.

Final Thoughts

This partial shutdown is real, and it matters, especially if you’re heading to or from a U.S. airport in the near future. It doesn’t mean travel is breaking down, but it does mean you should plan for friction, give yourself extra buffer time, and keep an eye on official updates.

As with most travel hiccups, a little preparation goes a long way.