Private Flights Surge as Travelers Seek Reliability Amid Travel Chaos

FlyUSA CEO Barry Shevlin explains how staffing shortages and infrastructure constraints are driving more flyers to private aviation

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:37pm

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As the U.S. aviation system faces ongoing disruptions from staffing shortages, operational bottlenecks, and infrastructure limitations, private jet charter company FlyUSA is seeing a surge in travelers seeking the reliability and flexibility of private flights. CEO Barry Shevlin says the company is implementing strategies like advanced flight planning and increased ground buffer times to adapt to the challenging conditions impacting both commercial and private aviation.

Why it matters

The structural issues plaguing the U.S. air travel system, including ATC staffing gaps and airport-level labor shortages, are forcing airlines and private operators to compete within an already strained system. This is leading more travelers to turn to private aviation as a way to avoid the frequent delays and disruptions that have become commonplace in commercial flying.

The details

Across high-traffic regions, air traffic control (ATC) staffing shortages are triggering "flow control" measures that can delay flights for hours before departure clearance is granted. Staffing issues at ATC facilities managing critical airspace, as well as labor shortages in ground operations like fueling and aircraft handling, are compounding the delays. Private aviation is facing many of the same constraints as commercial flights, but operators like FlyUSA are implementing strategies to minimize disruption, such as filing flight plans in advance, adjusting schedules, and increasing ground buffer times.

  • The U.S. aviation system is currently facing structural strain and operational challenges.
  • FlyUSA has seen a growing number of clients choosing private aviation to reduce exposure to system volatility.

The players

Barry Shevlin

CEO of FlyUSA, a leading U.S.-based private jet charter and aviation solutions provider.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing the U.S. aviation system, which reports nationwide air traffic controller staffing levels remain low.

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What they’re saying

“U.S. air travel is entering a period of structural strain, and these new pressures force airlines and private operators to compete within an already stressed system.”

— Barry Shevlin, CEO

“Staffing shortages have increased the number of days when flow control is put in place, which can be pretty disruptive. We sometimes receive Estimated Departure Clearance Times that are four or more hours later than our planned departure. No client is going to be happy with an unplanned delay like that.”

— Barry Shevlin, CEO

“These aren't isolated issues. You have specific nodes in the system where staffing constraints ripple outward and impact thousands of flights a day.”

— Barry Shevlin, CEO

What’s next

Industry experts expect current aviation constraints to persist and potentially intensify, as there are no immediate resolutions to staffing shortages and limited expansion of airport infrastructure. Operators who can effectively manage complexity across airspace, airports, logistics, and client service will be best positioned to navigate the next phase of air travel.

The takeaway

The structural issues plaguing the U.S. aviation system, including ATC staffing gaps and airport-level labor shortages, are driving more travelers to seek the reliability and flexibility of private flights. As disruptions become more frequent and less predictable, private aviation is emerging as a solution for those unwilling to risk the delays and missed commitments associated with commercial air travel.