Southwest Airlines and American Airlines recorded more than 2,000 flight delays across the United States on Friday, October 23, 2026, according to FlightAware data. The widespread delays affected numerous airports with significant operational interruptions for both carriers.
American Airlines Vendor Technology Outage
American Airlines, which holds the dominant position at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), encountered a vendor technology outage earlier Friday. This issue impaired customer ability to book and check in for flights. The airline reported the problem and apologized, stating: “A vendor issue is affecting some customers’ ability to book and check in for flights. We’re working with the technology provider to resolve
the issue as quickly as possible. Customers traveling today should plan to arrive at the airport early.” By shortly after 2:30 p.m., American confirmed the outage was resolved and systems returned to normal operation.
Flight Delays at Dallas Airports
As of 2:05 p.m. on October 23, American Airlines had delayed over 200 flights at DFW Airport. In comparison, Southwest Airlines reported 70 delayed flights at the same time. Southwest confirmed its delays were unrelated to the American Airlines technology disruption. Both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field experienced less severe operational impacts relative to other affected locations nationwide.
American Airlines and Southwest continue working
to manage operational challenges and minimize inconvenience. Customers traveling with these carriers on October 23 are advised to allow extra time at airports.
