Southwest Airlines and American Airlines together accounted for more than 2,000 flight delays across the United States on Friday, October 23, 2026. By 2:05 p.m., American Airlines had delayed over 200 flights at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), while Southwest Airlines reported 70 delayed flights according to flight tracking service FlightAware.
Cause of American Airlines Delays and Southwest Airlines Status
American Airlines’ delays resulted from a vendor technology outage that impaired customers’ ability to book and check in for flights. The airline confirmed the issue was isolated to their systems. Southwest Airlines stated its delays were unrelated to American Airlines’ technology issues. Operations at both DFW International Airport and
Love Field appeared less affected compared to other locations nationwide.
Official Statements and Resolution
An American Airlines spokesperson said, “A vendor issue is affecting some customers’ ability to book and check in for flights.” The airline added it was working with the technology provider to restore services promptly and advised travelers to arrive early at airports. At 2:30 p.m., American Airlines announced the problem was resolved, and its systems were functioning normally. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outage.
No specific information has been provided on the total number of cancellations or the detailed routes affected during the delays.
