‘…Does America’s air travel just stop,’ Delta Airlines staff’s in-flight monologue on US shutdown goes viral

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday he would order a 10 percent cut in flights at 40 major airports, citing serious safety concerns as the US government shutdown intensifies. Amid this, a video has gone viral on TikTok. Posted late Thursday, it shows a Delta flight attendant stepping up to the intercom and telling passengers what they might expect in the coming days.

The clip surfaced at a time when travellers are already stressed. TSA agents aren’t being paid, lines at security are growing, and air traffic controllers are working without pay.

Delta flight attendant’s mid-flight announcement sparks anger

In the TikTok clip, the Delta employee tells passengers that domestic flights will be the first to disappear. Next, Delta Connection flights (which are operated