Southwest Outage Disrupts Flights Just Before Hurricane Milton Hits
Southwest Airlines experienced a nationwide outage affecting its website and app, causing significant disruptions for travelers. Starting around 2:00 PM ET, customers reported issues with purchasing tickets and checking flight statuses.
In response, Southwest Airlines acknowledged the problem via social media, stating, "Our teams are working to get it back up and running ASAP." The airline added that they are facing challenges due to high traffic volumes and had all hands on deck to resolve the issues.
According to Downdetector, a website monitoring online outages, major cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago, were significantly affected. Reports indicated that 59 percent of users experienced website issues, while 35 percent reported app problems. Additionally, five percent of customers were unable to check flight statuses.
Travelers took to social media to express their frustrations and seek updates on the outages. One concerned passenger asked about error messages while booking flights. Southwest responded, saying, "Our Tech Team has been made aware of the issues our Customers are encountering, and we'll get it back up and running ASAP."
Customer service has also been affected, with some travelers reporting wait times exceeding one hour. This comes at a critical time, as the airline operates in approximately 15 cities across the U.S. and manages over 4,000 flights daily.
The outage coincides with Hurricane Milton's impending landfall, currently classified as a Category 5 storm. As Milton strengthens near Mexico's Campeche, it is projected to head toward Florida's western coast. Meteorologists predict life-threatening conditions, including storm surges of up to nine feet and winds reaching 150 miles per hour.
Residents in Florida, particularly in Tampa, are under evacuation orders, and commercial air travel hubs, including Tampa International Airport, are preparing for early closures. As travelers seek clarity, one individual inquired on social media whether their flight from Tampa would still depart as scheduled.
Frustrated users shared their experiences online. An X user, Bill Graves expressed his concerns: "You just sold a ticket to my daughter in Tampa after they announced its closure." Southwest responded to Graves, advising him to send a direct message for further assistance.
As the storm approaches, hurricane evacuations and the Southwest outage have added to travelers' anxieties. The airline's swift response will be crucial in navigating this challenging situation.
Also Read: FAA Investigates Frontier Airlines Fire After Emergency Landing in Las Vegas
About the author
Your email address will not be published.
Leave this empty: