US Flight Disruptions Amid Federal Government Shutdown

Dear Traveler,

We want to make you aware of significant flight disruptions across the United States as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has instructed airlines to reduce air traffic by up to 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, leading to widespread cancellations and delays.

  • Over 1,400 flights were cancelled on Saturday, with nearly 6,000 more delayed, according to FlightAware.

  • Majorly affected airports include Newark Liberty (EWR), Charlotte Douglas (CLT), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), with additional delays reported at New York JFK and LaGuardia, as well as Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

  • The FAA will gradually increase flight reductions from 4% to 10% by 14 November, meaning further disruption is expected in the coming days.

These measures are intended to maintain safety as air traffic controllers and TSA staff continue working without pay, leading to staffing shortages and delays.

With the Thanksgiving travel period approaching, we strongly recommend that travelers:

  • Check flight status regularly before heading to the airport.

  • Allow extra time for security screening and potential delays.

  • Stay in close contact with your airline or travel advisor for the latest updates.

If you have any concerns about your upcoming travel plans or require assistance with changes or rebooking, please contact your dedicated Gray Dawes Travel team for support.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they develop.

Safe travels,
The Gray Dawes Travel Team

Latest News

Getting the Most from Procurement Portals When Selecting Your TMC

Procurement portals are now a common way to run Travel Management Company RFPs, offering structure and consistency for procurement teams. But when portals are poorly configured, they can unintentionally limit supplier responses, create unnecessary friction, and make it harder to assess what truly differentiates one TMC from another.

Based on extensive experience responding to portal-based RFPs, this guide from Gray Dawes Travel shares nine practical ways travel managers and procurement leads can attract higher-quality responses, improve evaluation, and achieve better outcomes from the process.

Work Stays Made Easy

As winter fades and brighter days arrive, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for a successful season of business travel. With over 800 Premier Inn hotels across the UK, you’re always close to your next meeting, conference, or event. From city centres to business hubs, enjoy convenient locations, comfy beds, blackout curtains for great sleep, and the option to upgrade to Premier Plus for extra comfort. Start your day with an unlimited breakfast, wind down with delicious on-site dining, and save with meal deals. Book early for the best value, flexibility, and stress-free stays wherever work takes you.

What to Do if Your TMC is Acquired

When your travel management company is acquired, the impact goes far beyond industry headlines. From technology changes and service disruptions to pricing uncertainty and contract implications, a merger can fundamentally reshape your corporate travel programme. This guide helps travel managers understand what’s really changing, the critical questions to ask their TMC, and how to assess whether staying or exploring alternatives makes the most strategic sense. With a clear framework for evaluating technology, service, costs, and stakeholder needs, you’ll be better equipped to protect programme value and move forward with confidence.

Travel Talks – Corporate Travel Trends in 2026

In this episode of out award-winning webinar show, our Chief Operating Officer, David Bishop, and Group Marketing Director, John Cooper, discuss their predictions for what will influence corporate travel management in 2026.

How to Build a Better Travel Policy in 2026

As business travel continues to evolve, travel policies must keep pace with new expectations and challenges. Learn how to build a smarter, more flexible travel policy for 2026 – one that balances cost control, compliance, sustainability goals, and a better traveller experience.

London: A Business Traveller’s Guide

Are you planning on travelling to London for work? From the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf to the bustling high-street shops of Oxford Street, there’s no shortage of opportunities for corporate travellers. In this city guide, we help you navigate London’s unique business ecosystem, share practical tips for getting around, and highlight our top 3 things to see or do to make your trip unforgettable.

Creating a Multi-Generational Travel Programme That Works

Arguably for the first time ever, corporate travel programmes must cater to four distinct generations. From Baby Boomers, who remember the burgeoning business travel scene of the sixties and seventies, to Gen Z employees booking their first-ever work trips, every generation has a unique perspective on travel. In this article, we take a look at how to build a multi-generational travel programme that is cost-effective and tailored to the broadly different needs of those born across the decades.

Travel Talks – How To Keep Your Data Safe

In this episode of our award-winning webinar series, Justin Issacs, Global Implementation Manager, and Jeffery Paul, Security and Governance Manager, share an insightful and practical discussion on what every business traveller should be doing to keep their data and digital self safe.

Smarter Stays for the Modern Business Traveller with Expedia

In today’s ever-changing travel landscape, business travellers need flexibility, comfort, and value more than ever. Expedia Group’s Business Rates deliver all three – designed specifically to meet the needs of the modern corporate traveller.

Milan: A Business Traveller’s Guide

Considered by many as one of the fashion capitals of the world – unsurprising when you consider it’s home to luxury brands including Prada, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana – it can be easy to overlook Milan as just a place for those in the business of clothes and catwalks. In this comprehensive guide for business travellers, we help you navigate Milan’s unique business ecosystem, share practical tips for getting around, and highlight our top 3 things to see or do to make your trip unforgettable.

STAY SAFE

Be in the know as you go, for less than the price of a cappuccino

Tailored specifically to an individual’s travel itinerary, Stay Safe delivers ongoing destination updates throughout the trip, including notification alerts for flight cancellations, border control requirements, security and more!