This comes as the nation enters day 38 of the government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA ordered 40 major airports, including PHL, to reduce flight volume, citing safety concerns.
"We don't know when you're going to get out," Debra Aiken was told by her airline. "Your flight has been delayed, and then on my phone, I got the flight was canceled."
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"We don't know when you're going to get out," Debra Aiken was told by her airline. "Your flight has been delayed, and then on my phone, I got the flight was canceled."
Her travel headache is one of hundreds as airlines began canceling flights due to the government shutdown.
Duffy says air traffic controllers and TSA workers are dealing with stress, burnout, and sickouts.
"They just got notice that the second paycheck, that the second full paycheck, will be a big fat zero. That comes next week, and so there's been a lot of pressure on the controllers," he said.
The FAA is ordering a 10% reduction in flight capacity at the airports. Friday was the first day, with a 4% flight reduction.
SEE ALSO: List of airports impacted by FAA cuts
"The response is to take pressure out of the system," he said.
The pressure is ramping up on travelers instead.
"They canceled that flight, and then they rebooked me on JetBlue to Fort Lauderdale, and I'm going to Palm Beach," said Richard Alverio. "Total headache. Disaster. Nightmare."
American Airlines plans to cut 220 flights a day through Monday. Delta said it would cut roughly 170 flights on Friday.
The cuts come on the heels of the holiday season. Thanksgiving week is traditionally the busiest week of the year for air travel.
Earlier this week, two security checkpoints at PHL were temporarily closed as TSA agents continue to work without pay.
The cuts impact all commercial airlines. Airlines are allowing people to cancel without penalty.