Southwest Airlines delays today: what’s happening

The headline

Southwest Airlines delays . Live tallies show hundreds of U.S. flights canceled this morning across carriers.
The FAA has ordered airlines to reduce flights by 4% starting 6 a.m. ET today, with cuts ramping to 10% by November 14 at 40 major U.S. airports. The step aims to keep skies safe while staffing is strained during the shutdown.

Government shutdown → FAA staffing stress
Many air-traffic controllers and other personnel are unpaid or thinly staffed, so the FAA is reducing traffic to maintain safety margins at the busiest hubs.
Phased national capacity cap
The FAA order applies 6 a.m.–10 p.m. local at the affected airports, starting at 4% and rising to 10%. Airlines must file rolling cuts; noncompliance risks penalties. International flights are generally exempt.
Knock-on effects
Even if your airport isn’t on the list, your flight can be impacted by aircraft/crew coming from a restricted hub, creating delays and missed connections.

Full refunds: Southwest states that if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose not to travel, you can request a refund to original form of payment, even on non-refundable fares during the FAA reductions.
Significant delay rules: Southwest’s help pages outline refund eligibility when delays meet certain thresholds; the U.S. DOT likewise says you’re entitled to a refund for a cancellation or significant schedule change if you don’t fly.
Automatic rebooking + notifications: Southwest’s Customer Service Plan explains you should get email/text updates within ~30 minutes of the airline learning about a 30-minute-plus delay/cancel, and auto-rebooking is used when possible.

Check flight status every few hours in the Southwest app or on your trip page; same-day changes may appear as rolling adjustments.
If your flight is canceled and the auto-rebook doesn’t work for you, use the app to change to another Southwest flight (same city pair) at no fare difference when available under the operational policy—then call only if the app can’t solve it.
Know your refund rights: If you don’t want to travel because of a cancellation or significant delay, request a refund, not a credit. The DOT confirms this right.
Build a backup plan: If you must arrive same-day, consider earlier departures or secondary airports in the region to dodge peak-hour caps (the order applies 6 a.m.–10 p.m.).
Watch connecting flights: Even if your first leg looks fine, your inbound aircraft may be delayed by the FAA cap elsewhere—leave extra connection time.

Nationwide totals: By early morning, over 800 U.S. flights were canceled across airlines; more could follow as the order ramps to 10% over the coming week.
Who’s affected: The 40-airport list includes hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Chicago and more. Expect crowds and queues around peak hours.
International flights: The FAA’s cap does not generally apply to international service (but knock-on effects can still delay aircraft).