Spirit Airlines is hit by system-wide computer outage as it warns passengers of long lines with 84% of flights delayed
- The ultra-low-cost airline has warned travelers of technical difficulties via a statement on Twitter saying they should “arrive early” at airports
- Angry passengers describe missing flights and can’t check in
- 84% of departures are delayed according to flight tracking sites
- Hundreds of flights are likely to be affected as the airline operates 700 daily
Spirit Airlines has been hit by a system-wide computer outage as it warns passengers to expect long lines with 84% of departures delayed.
The ultra-low-cost airline has warned travelers about the technical issues via Twitter — some expressed frustration at not being able to check in, while others reported being stranded on planes for hours with no sign of takeoff.
Less than 16% of Spirit flights departed on time at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, according to flight tracking site Pulse by Anuvu.
Hundreds of flights are likely to be affected as Spirit operates more than 700 daily.
People wait in line at a Spirit Airlines counter at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport
In a statement, the airline said: “We are currently experiencing a technical problem.
Spirit.com, the Spirit Airlines app and our airport kiosks are currently unavailable.
“We expect longer queues than usual at the airport, so plan to arrive on time.”
Angry customers have complained about missing their plane after being unable to check in, while others said they waited more than two hours for takeoff.
One passenger wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely 0 information at the airport. Shockingly appalling customer service.’
Another complained that their plane had been evacuated due to the system failure, adding that the Spirit app had been out of action for “5 hours”.
Meanwhile, a Twitter user named DJ Frankie B posted a scene of an airport with passengers waiting, saying, “I have a feeling we’ll be here for a while.”
The passenger said his flight was “departing an hour ago,” adding, “I didn’t see one Spirit plane leave the ground…sorry for cheating your Delta.”
Another traveler appealed to the airline on social media, saying he was unable to check in for a flight to a destination for his father’s funeral, adding: “I can’t reschedule this.”
Also on Twitter, a user named Nilsa aired that her 15-year-old cousin had been waiting three hours at the San Antonio airport “with no update on when the flight will depart” and that Spirit told her she had “no clue.”
“Very disappointed with the lack of communication and customer service,” she said.