If you’re traveling by plane today, don’t be surprised if you encounter a delay. On Friday morning, a major Microsoft outage caused by an update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted around 365 apps, disconnected emergency phone lines, booted broadcasters off the air, and forced airlines to ground flights.

The massive outage impacted the ability of multiple airlines’ systems to access data that makes takeoff necessary, such as weight and balance data. As of noon ET, more than 2,000 flights had been canceled in the U.S. alone, and the number was growing. According to the flight-tracking software FlightAware, more than 4,000 flights had been delayed Friday.

Social media users have been documenting the chaotic and frustrating scene at airports across the country. The “blue screen of death”—Microsoft’s error screen that means the operating system is down—has been seen far and wide. 

Which U.S. airlines are impacted

The situation at airports is still evolving this afternoon. Some airlines that initially grounded flights have already resumed takeoffs; American Airlines, United, and Delta were all up and running again by 8 a.m. ET. Still, the airlines issued statements advising passengers to expect ongoing cancellations and delays. Several U.K. airlines have also been impacted, adding to long wait times at several international airports in the U.S. 

While some airports report operations are running smoothly, some of the longest wait times have been seen at all New York airports, including Newark Liberty; and Tampa, Philadelphia, LAX, and others.

What airlines are doing to help

In a post on X this morning, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reminded travelers about “flight rights,” a tool to help consumers navigate airlines’ passenger responsibilities. “We continue monitoring technical issues impacting airlines,” the department shared. “If you’re a passenger experiencing a travel delay or cancellation, you have FlightRights.gov as a tool to navigate what your airline’s responsibilities are to meet your needs as a passenger.”

According to the DOT website, airlines are required to offer customers refunds if their flights are canceled. The impacted airlines are working with travelers to ensure the outage doesn’t affect their wallets. Delta, American Airlines, and United have all issued waivers for impacted flights. Additionally, Spirit Airlines issued a waiver allowing customers booked on flights Friday or Saturday to change their flights at no additional charge. 

What to keep in mind if you’re flying today

Since the situation at airports is expected to change throughout the day, it’s essential for travelers to only head to the airport if they know their flight is taking off as scheduled. 

Downloading your airline’s app can be one of the easiest ways to stay on top of flight information, which you’ll definitely need today. You can enable text notifications for any flight updates. That way, you’ll be less likely to end up standing in long lines and adding to the cluster of people waiting. Likewise, if your flight is canceled, having the airline’s app will allow you to rebook your flight as quickly as possible.

If you have lounge access through your credit card, now might be a good time to take advantage of that perk. In most cases, agents within the lounges can help you rebook your flight and help you avoid larger lines at the gate.

Experts also advise giving yourself plenty of time to navigate the airport and expect some disruption. Programs like TSA PreCheck and Clear, which can help you get through security quicker, can be huge timesavers, especially when the lines are massive. More than anything, a steady supply of patience will go a long way at the airport today. 

---