Here’s what airlines are saying.
America’s leading airlines are urging President Donald Trump and Congress to proceed carefully before making one of the biggest changes to the nation’s time system in decades.
While millions of Americans support ending the twice-yearly clock changes, the airline industry says a permanent shift to Daylight Saving Time could create major challenges for air travel if the transition isn’t carefully planned.
According to Airlines for America (A4A), the trade group representing many of the country’s largest airlines, changing the nation’s timekeeping system would affect everything from flight schedules and aircraft operations to crew assignments and international travel connections.
The organization warned that America’s aviation network depends on stability and long-term planning, making any sudden change especially difficult for airlines that coordinate thousands of flights every day.
Airlines Say Time Changes Could Disrupt Travel
Industry officials say domestic and international flight schedules are built years in advance and rely on coordinated time standards across multiple countries.
A permanent switch to Daylight Saving Time would require airlines to adjust flight schedules, reposition aircraft, modify crew rotations, and coordinate with airports and international aviation partners.
For that reason, airline leaders say any change should include a lengthy implementation period to minimize disruptions for travelers.
Congress Advances Major Time Change
The warning comes as lawmakers continue pushing legislation that would end the practice of changing clocks twice each year.
The House recently passed the Sunshine Protection Act with broad bipartisan support, sending the proposal to the Senate for consideration.
If approved by Congress, the legislation would allow states to observe Daylight Saving Time year-round instead of moving clocks forward every spring and back every fall.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure if it reaches his desk after the White House encouraged lawmakers to support the proposal.
Most Americans Still Change Their Clocks
Today, nearly every state follows the same schedule.
Clocks move forward by one hour each March before returning to Standard Time in November.
Arizona and Hawaii remain the only states that do not participate in the seasonal clock changes. Meanwhile, roughly 20 states have already approved laws that would allow permanent Daylight Saving Time once Congress authorizes the change.
Supporters Say It’s Time To End Clock Changes
Backers of permanent Daylight Saving Time argue the current system is outdated and unnecessarily disruptive.
They believe ending the twice-yearly time change would simplify daily life while providing more daylight during evening hours. Business groups also argue longer evenings could benefit restaurants, retailers, tourism, and outdoor recreation by encouraging Americans to spend more time outside after work.
Many families also favor eliminating the clock changes because they can disrupt sleep schedules and daily routines.
Critics Prefer Permanent Standard Time
Others believe permanent Standard Time would be the healthier option.
Some medical experts say Standard Time better matches the body’s natural circadian rhythm and may improve sleep, particularly during the winter months.
Critics also point out that permanent Daylight Saving Time could result in very late winter sunrises in parts of the country, leaving children and commuters traveling to school and work in darkness.
Poll Shows Americans Want Change
Although Americans remain divided over which permanent system is best, most agree the current approach should end.
Recent polling found that only a small percentage of Americans want to continue changing their clocks twice each year.
A majority favor permanent Daylight Saving Time with brighter evenings, while a sizable minority prefers permanent Standard Time with more morning sunlight.
The Bottom Line
The debate over Daylight Saving Time now appears to be shifting from whether America should stop changing the clocks to how the change should happen.
For the airline industry, the message is straightforward: if Congress and President Trump move forward with permanent Daylight Saving Time, airlines say they will need sufficient time to update schedules, coordinate with global partners, and avoid unnecessary disruptions for millions of travelers.
