Airlines are cautioning that a shift to permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST) could significantly disrupt air travel operations, impacting scheduling, crew and aircraft positioning, and both domestic and international flight connectivity. The trade group Airlines for America (A4A), representing major U.S. carriers, stated that the aviation industry relies on stability and predictability in its expansive networks and that any changes to DST practices would require a considerable implementation timeline to address global complexities.
This warning comes as the House of Representatives has advanced the Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow states to observe DST year-round, thereby eliminating the twice-annual clock changes. The legislation now faces an uncertain path in the Senate. The White House has indicated support for the bill, with President Donald Trump expected to sign it into law if it reaches his desk.
Currently, most U.S. states observe DST, springing forward in March and falling back in November. Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that do not participate in this practice. Additionally, 20 states have passed legislation to make DST permanent, pending congressional authorization.
Proponents of year-round DST argue that it would eliminate the disruption caused by changing clocks and potentially boost tourism and outdoor activities by providing more daylight in winter evenings. Conversely, critics suggest that permanent Standard Time aligns better with natural circadian rhythms, preventing late winter sunrises. Public opinion surveys indicate a widespread dissatisfaction with the current system of changing clocks twice a year. A December AP-NORC survey found only 12% of respondents favored the current practice, with nearly half opposed. When asked about reforms, 56% of Americans expressed a preference for permanent DST, while approximately 40% favored permanent Standard Time.