Southwest Airlines outage strands thousands
System outage causes travel chaos: thousands stranded as Southwest Airlines faces major disruption
On Tuesday, Southwest Airlines faced a major system outage that disrupted travel across the United States. A computer glitch caused by a firewall failure forced the airline to ground over 1,500 flights, affecting thousands of passengers. This is the second significant incident for Southwest in the past four months.
1,500 flights affected
The issue started with a vendor-supplied firewall going down, cutting off access to important operational data. This led to the grounding of 1,500 flights and delays for tens of thousands of travelers. Passengers found themselves stuck on planes or at airports without knowing when their flights would resume. Many frustrated travelers took to social media to share their experiences, with some reporting delays of up to six hours.
Tips for affected travelers
For those affected by the disruptions, here are some tips to manage the situation:
1. Check flight status regularly: Use the Southwest Airlines website or app to keep track of your flight’s status. Be persistent, as these platforms might be slow due to high traffic.
2. Contact customer service: Reach out to Southwest Airlines customer service for help. Be prepared for longer wait times because of the high volume of inquiries.
3. Explore alternatives: If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled, look into other travel options, such as booking with another airline or using ground transportation if possible.
4. Stay informed: Follow news updates and Southwest's official social media channels for real-time information.
5. Prepare for delays: If you’re at the airport, make sure you have essentials like snacks, water, and entertainment, as delays could be longer than expected.
Southwest Airlines has apologized for the inconvenience and is working to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. They appreciate their customers' patience during this difficult time.
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