American Airlines is currently facing a significant technical issue that is causing delays for all of its flights in the United States, disrupting travel plans during a busy holiday season. The airline has acknowledged the problem, attributing it to a 'technical issue' and assuring customers that their teams are working diligently to resolve it promptly.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide groundstop order for all American Airlines flights in response to the situation. While the FAA confirmed the groundstop, they directed inquiries for further details to the airline itself.
Passengers have been impacted by the delays, with reports of flights returning to gates and delays averaging around 90 minutes. Some travelers have taken to social media to express their frustrations, citing issues with weight and balance calculations due to a software outage affecting departures.
One passenger shared their experience of being alerted to the issue early in the morning while en route to spend Christmas with family. Despite the inconvenience, the passenger emphasized the importance of safety and expressed a desire for clearer communication from the airline.
At various airports, including Fort Lauderdale in Florida, agents have informed passengers that the system is down, leading to a hold on departures and keeping travelers at the gate. American Airlines has not provided a specific timeframe for when the issue will be resolved, leaving passengers uncertain about the status of their flights.
As a result of these disruptions, American Airlines' stock experienced a nearly 3% decline in premarket trading. The airline continues to work on addressing the technical issue and minimizing the impact on travelers during this critical period of holiday travel.
