American Airlines passengers expressed their frustration after a nationwide ground stop on Monday disrupted flights across the country due to an unspecified “technical issue.” The incident, which occurred on Christmas Eve, left travelers stranded during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The airline cited a technical problem affecting its weight and balance computations as the likely cause, according to a report by Bloomberg. American Airlines requested the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a nationwide ground stop for its flights starting at 6:49 a.m. ET. Initially planned to lift by 8:30 a.m. ET, the delay risked extending further, exacerbating holiday travel chaos.
In a statement, the airline issued an apology, saying: “A technical issue is affecting American flights this morning. Our teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.”
Passengers React on Social Media
Many passengers took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their frustration. Travelers reported that planes were ordered back to gates, and in some cases, passengers were asked to disembark.
Responding to one query, the airline stated: “We’re currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights. Your safety is our utmost priority. Once this is rectified, we’ll have you safely on your way to your destination.”
To another passenger, the airline admitted that it could not provide an estimated timeframe for resolving the issue but assured customers that efforts were underway to resolve the matter swiftly.
Frustrated travelers flooded social media with complaints. One X user demanded, “Time to start issuing refunds,” while another exclaimed, “Worst. Airline. Ever.” A third user speculated about a possible “IT issue” or “cyberattack.”
FAA and Travel Impacts
The FAA confirmed on its website that American Airlines had requested the nationwide ground stop for its flights and those of its subsidiary airlines. The timing of the grounding created significant challenges for travelers during the holiday season.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) estimates it will screen 40 million passengers nationwide between the holidays and January 2. With millions of passengers expected to travel over the next ten days, the grounding of American Airlines flights added further strain to an already hectic travel period.
As travelers anxiously awaited updates, American Airlines faced mounting pressure to resolve the issue promptly and address the concerns of its customers. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of major airline operations to technical failures, especially during peak travel times.