Summary
- Many carriers experienced software outages due to Microsoft; Southwest unaffected.
- Southwest and FedEx operate on Windows 3.1, avoiding the CloudStrike glitch.
- While Microsoft resolved the root cause, millions of travelers remain grounded.
Many carriers were brought to their knees yesterday due to a software outage at technology company Microsoft. Some of the world’s largest carriers have canceled flights, planes grounded, and are reverting to old-school techniques to check-in and board aircraft. However, the world’s largest low-cost carrier, Southwest, has been able to power through due to an operating system that is 32 years old. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines was unaffected yesterday by the Microsoft outage that has plagued carriers in every corner of the globe. This is due to the airline working from Windows 3.1, a version that was first released in April 1992 as the successor to Windows 3.0
FedEx and Southwest are two major carriers that operate on the older system and have not encountered any issues with the CloudStrike outage at Microsoft; however, Delta, American, Spirit, Frontier, United, and Allegiant have all had flights grounded or canceled as it worked through the glitch.
Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock
While Windows 3.1 seems to be working fine for the airline, the carrier has come under fire for using such an archaic system in the past, noting that the carrier should look for a more modern alternative. However, the airline will be pleased it hasn’t made such a technological jump this week.
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Many travelers grounded
Millions of travelers globally are currently grounded from the CloudStrike update, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already stepped in to assist affected airlines. Fortunately, the FAA was also not affected. Microsoft, the developer of CloudStrike, noted that the outage’s root cause has now been fixed. However, it could take days for users to get back to full system functionality. The technology company CEO released a statement on Twitter as below:
It’s worth identifying that while Microsoft frequently experiences outages due to system updates and bugs, it is uncommon for them to have such wide-scale ramifications. With millions of servers running on Windows, today’s outage affected many international airlines, banks, retail stores, and conglomerates.
Simple Flying reached out for comment from the carrier and any advice that needed to be passed onto travelers, and they responded:
“The outage did not directly affect our operations, but we encourage Customers to check their flight status throughout the day while the overall aviation system continues to recover.”
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Southwest Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- WN/SWA
- Airline Type:
- Low-Cost Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Midway International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1967
- CEO:
- Robert Jordan
- Country:
- United States
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