Please sign in to post.

Travel warning: Global IT disruption - Aircrafts stay on the ground

"A mass IT outage has caused travel chaos around the world, with banking and healthcare services also badly hit.

Many flights have been grounded, with queues and delays at airports.

Cyber-security firm Crowdstrike has admitted that the problem was caused by an update to its software, designed to protect Microsoft Windows devices from hacking.

Microsoft has said it is taking "mitigation action" to deal with "the lingering impact" of the outage.

Who is affected?

Airports and air travel were particularly badly hit. Several US airlines - notably United, Delta and American Airlines - grounded their flights around the globe. Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar also had to delay or cancel flights as departure screens went blank at Sydney airport. Tokyo-Narita and Delhi airports said services had been affected. European airports reported that the outage was causing delays, with long queues reported at London's Stansted and Gatwick and Amsterdam's Schiphol. European airline Ryanair said it was experiencing "potential disruptions across the network", which it said were due to a third-party outage."

(Source BBC)

German IT experts say that there are several indiccators that it is not a gloabl cyber attack but a software failure following the sun rise of time zones. If this failure was part of an offense is unclear at the moment.

I was close to be affected as well because the card payment system of my book dealer was affected - so in good old German tradition I paid cash.

Good luck to all fellow travelers.

Posted by
2989 posts

Thanks.

Reasons (source BSI press conference):
A) Crowdstrike Falcon Software Bug
B) MS Azure (incl. 365) Issue

Systems in most cases need to be repaired client-wise; partly no centralized roll-out possible.
First companies reported the start of rolling-out a fix.

The BSI expect normalization within days - not hours only.

Posted by
8952 posts

. . . with banking and healthcare services also badly hit.

Any more information on this part of the situation?

Posted by
793 posts

I've been watching live cams at DTW (Detroit) and it makes glad we aren't flying again until September!

Posted by
16244 posts

There are problems throughout the world in healthcare and banking. It's best to check with your local bank or hospital if you are concerned. The stock markets are operating normally.

The issue is only affecting Window based operating systems using Crowdstrike. So if they use Linux or Apple, it's fine.

There are now reports that systems are coming back online. It's mostly connectivity issues and not the actual computers themselves.

I have flights Monday and Tuesday so lets hope everything is back to normal by then.

Posted by
2214 posts

I would hope that by Monday, everything will be back to normal whatever normal is these days.

Even the bus service in my city is affected. We have been told to expect delays. Fortunately, I do not need to go anywhere today.

Posted by
683 posts

THIS is the reason, for that ongoing debate re having some cash when travelling, why it helps to have some. Because no one can predict glitches, big or small. I have certainly needed cash during small glitches (looking at you Square).

Posted by
16244 posts

Fortunately, AA has announced they have fixed the situation but still expect some problems today.

Posted by
7919 posts

Luckily, some airlines were not affected. My son-in-law's Finnair flight from Oslo to Helsinki and his Icelandair flight from Helsinki to MSP via Iceland went through just fine and he is scheduled to arrive at MSP on time this evening.

Posted by
1576 posts

Boston and Seattle minimally affected. Daughter's flight is delayed 45 minutes. Really nothing for a Friday flight in July.

Posted by
1885 posts

Good luck to everyone affected. If you are traveling today try to allow extra time for the unexpected. And please be extra patient. Everyone from fellow travelers to front line airline workers are frustrated too!

Posted by
17399 posts

The SeaTac airport (Port of Seattle) website is still not fully back to normal. I cannot make a SpotSaver reservation with TSA for a flight on Tuesday.

Posted by
717 posts

If you are on Delta this week, and possibly even next week check your flights and pack your patience. They have gone into meltdown. I got home about 12 hours late, but I had I not stuck it out waiting on that. I’d probably still be in California trying to get back to Atlanta

Posted by
16244 posts

On Monday, my flight into JFK was delayed by 2.5 hours. First, they couldn't get the engines started. Then, thunderstorm delays.

On Tuesday, today, I flew from JFK to LHR. We had nearly a 100 mph tailwind and arrived 70 minutes early.

It seems everything at AA is back to hormal.

However, Marriott seems to still be having problems.

Posted by
771 posts

Luckily, some airlines were not affected. My son-in-law's Finnair flight from Oslo to Helsinki and his Icelandair flight from Helsinki to MSP via Iceland went through just fine and he is scheduled to arrive at MSP on time this evening.

I'm excited to hear all about their adventure!

Our son spent an extra night in Minneapolis after his Delta flight was canceled to Rapid City. He made it back home on a different airline the next afternoon.

Posted by
593 posts

We flew Alaska Air yesterday, DFW to Seattle and on to Fairbanks. Delta is still struggling, we saw a huge amount of baggage, like 100 + bags, waylaid at DFW and folks coming into Fairbanks a day late due to cancelled Delta flights were trying to reunite with their luggage. Big problems.

Of course Alaska managed not to not get my husband’s bag on to our second flight either. It did arrive several hours later fortunately. Another reason for doing carryon going to your destination unless you’re visiting family/staying in place for a few days.

Posted by
2620 posts

Joe--That does not surprise me at all. Delta needs to get its act together.

My husband flew out of SEA yesterday on Icelandair. He said everything was very smooth. He didn't pay attention to much of the airport as he always goes through checkpoint 1, which is off by itself, and then straight to the lounge to wait.