Whereas the longest authorities shutdown in U.S. historical past has lastly come to an finish, the journey repercussions are ongoing — and so they’ve made some vacationers much more fearful about touring proper now.
The Factors Man commissioned a ballot from YouGov on the impacts of the shutdown and the following chaos for vacationers, with some fascinating findings. Amongst them?
Amongst U.S. adults planning to journey for both Thanksgiving or Christmas:
- 41% of Thanksgiving vacationers responded that present journey disruptions made them cancel, reschedule or regulate their Thanksgiving journey plans
- 40% of Christmas vacationers responded that present journey disruptions made them cancel, reschedule or regulate their Christmas journey plans
- 48% of all U.S. adults responded that they’re both very or considerably involved about flying as a result of security causes due to the shutdown and/or the air visitors controller shortages
These are sizable chunks of the flying public — particularly contemplating the truth that we’re quick approaching a number of the busiest journey durations of the 12 months.
Here is what our new survey discovered.
Worry of flying
One of the crucial fascinating findings of the brand new TPG-YouGov survey was that almost half of Individuals are involved about flying because of the authorities shutdown and the scarcity of air visitors controllers.
A whopping 48% of Individuals mentioned they had been “very” or “considerably” involved about flying as a result of security causes, whereas 20% had been both “not very involved” or “under no circumstances involved.”
That implies there are some ongoing worries concerning the general security of the system.
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The survey was taken Nov. 11-12, so simply because the shutdown was coming to an finish.
Thanksgiving journey
Of these we surveyed who deliberate to journey for the Thanksgiving vacation, roughly 4 in 10 (41%) had both been rethinking their journeys or had truly modified or canceled them. Eighteen p.c mentioned they canceled their journey plans. One other 15% mentioned they adjusted their plans (corresponding to by driving or taking the practice as a substitute of flying). That is a good portion of the flying public.
Christmas journey
We noticed comparable numbers for the Christmas journey interval. Of those that had been planning to journey for Christmas, 6% of respondents reported rescheduling their flights. One other 15% mentioned they adjusted their plans, opting to drive or take a practice as a substitute. A whopping 19% of those that deliberate to journey for Christmas reported canceling their journey plans altogether.
Will probably be fascinating to see if these numbers maintain up now that the federal government disaster is over — however it’s clear that the 43-day-long shutdown has already left its mark on the 2026 vacation season.
Backside line
Most Individuals are nonetheless planning to journey for Thanksgiving or Christmas regardless of the lately concluded authorities shutdown and the ensuing journey chaos. However a considerable quantity had been fearful sufficient to vary or cancel their journey plans.
Whereas we do not but have information on what it’s going to imply for vacation costs and the potential of last-minute offers, you will be positive we are going to deliver these particulars to you as we get them.
Associated studying:
Methodology:
The Factors Man commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, until in any other case acknowledged, are from YouGov Plc. The overall pattern measurement was 1,185 U.S. adults. Fieldwork was undertaken Nov. 11-12, 2025. The survey was carried out on-line and meets rigorous high quality requirements. It gathered a non-probability-based pattern and employed demographic quotas and weights to raised align the survey pattern with the broader U.S. inhabitants.
