Connecting flight? Good luck.

The summer travel period has begun, with high passenger volume keeping airplanes filled, even as jet fuel prices remain high and ticket prices have spiked.  

To add more angst to air travel, the first half of 2026 gave air travelers a rollercoaster ride of delays and disruptions. Whether it was Transportation Security officers not being paid due to government shutdowns, air traffic controller shortages or inclement weather, air travel appears to have become less predictable — and perhaps even subject to more risk. The collision of an American Airlines regional jet with an army Blackhawk helicopter back in January 2025 gave many people time to pause, thinking that they could have been on that flight. 

Maintaining the National Airspace System is a complex operation, with multiple stakeholders.  

The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for numerous aviation safety operations and oversights, including aircraft certification, pilot certification and air traffic control. The TSA is responsible for all aspects of aviation security, including setting the standards for airport screening technologies and TSA officer training. 

Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus and Embraer provide the equipment that moves people across the national airspace. Airlines operate the equipment and set schedules that permit travelers to select and book their travel itineraries. And then there are nearly 20,000 airports in the United States with more than 16 million flights handled by the FAA annually. 

Despite all this complexity, the National Airspace System functions remarkably well. Careful planning and organization by each of these stakeholders, both individually and collectively, provide what has been a safe, secure,........

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