Major US Airlines Cancel Hundreds Of Flights Amid System Outages

Major US Airlines Cancel Hundreds Of Flights Amid System Outages...

Hundreds of flights across the US were canceled or delayed Friday morning due to widespread system outages at multiple airlines. The disruptions come during peak spring travel season, stranding thousands of passengers at major hubs including Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas.

American Airlines reported over 200 cancellations by 10 AM ET, while Southwest Airlines scrubbed 150 flights. United and Delta also experienced significant delays. The FAA confirmed it was investigating "multiple reports of reservation system failures" but stressed the issues were airline-specific, not a nationwide air traffic control problem.

Passengers took to social media to share images of crowded terminals and multi-hour customer service lines. "I've been trying to rebook for three hours," said Chicago-based traveler Mark Reynolds at O'Hare Airport. "They're saying it might be Sunday before I can get out."

The outages appear linked to a software update from airline IT provider Sabre Corporation, which serves most major carriers. In a statement to Reuters, Sabre said it was "working urgently to restore full functionality" but didn't provide a timeline. This marks the third major airline IT meltdown in 2026 after similar incidents in January and March.

The disruptions come during one of the busiest travel weekends of the spring, with many families beginning school breaks. Airlines are required by DOT rules to provide refunds for canceled flights, but compensation for delays remains at carriers' discretion. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his department was monitoring the situation "minute by minute."

Travel experts advise affected passengers to document all expenses and check airline apps for real-time updates rather than waiting in airport lines. The FAA recommends confirming flight status before heading to airports through the weekend as airlines work to clear the backlog.