American Airlines Grounds Flights Nationwide Due to Technical Issue Holiday Travel Surge

American Airlines experienced widespread flight delays and cancellations on Tuesday after a technical problem forced the airline to ground its flights across the U.S. during the peak of the Christmas travel season. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a national ground stop at the airline’s request, following issues with its Flight Operating System (FOS). The outage, which was caused by technology from one of American Airlines’ vendors, led to delays at major hubs, with only 36% of the airline’s 3,901 domestic and international flights departing on time.

Fifty-one flights were canceled, and while the FAA cleared American to resume flights about an hour later, passengers faced frustration over missed connections and long delays. Some travelers shared their struggles on social media, including one Florida resident, Bobby Tighe, who missed a Christmas Eve family gathering in New York due to delays and rerouted flights.

The delays affected major airports, with Dallas-Fort Worth, New York’s Kennedy Airport, and Charlotte, North Carolina, experiencing the highest number of disruptions. Meanwhile, the airline’s pilots’ union reported no major issues beyond the typical holiday travel congestion.

This disruption occurred alongside winter weather challenges, including rain, snow, and freezing conditions in parts of the U.S., further complicating holiday travel plans. As the travel period continues, the airline and airports are bracing for more potential delays due to both technical and weather-related factors.