About an hour after sending my daily travel tip newsletter (you can sign up for free here) I learned about a technical issue at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This made my earlier note that “The skies over the U.S. are looking clear for the most part according to AccuWeather” irrelevant and caused major disruptions for travelers at DFW and nearby Dallas Love Field (DAL).
CNN reported the problem stemmed from a “telecommunication outage [that] caused Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers in Dallas to lose radar and some communications.” The FAA said in a statement that it is “working with the telephone company to determine the cause.”
CNN noted that the FAA is slowing flights at both DFW and DAL. The National Airspace System website shows a full ground stop for all departures at both airports. Screenshots show the ground stop remains in effect until 10 PM CT (8 PM PT). Currently, arrival delays average 68 minutes at DFW and 28 minutes at DAL.
DFW
DFWGround Stop 19/3:20 PM PDT—19/8:00 PM PDT: Departures grounded due to equipment outage
Ground Delay 19/1:07 PM PDT—19/7:59 PM PDT: Departures delayed an average of 68 minutes due to equipment outage
DAL
Ground Stop 19/3:28 PM PDT—19/4:45 PM PDT: Departures grounded due to equipment outage
Ground Delay 19/1:09 PM PDT—19/6:59 PM PDT: Departures delayed an average of 28 minutes due to equipment outage
Since this is affecting multiple airlines, travelers cannot simply book a ticket on a different carrier. Passengers should download their airline’s app or sign up for flight alerts. If possible, consider moving your flight to tomorrow at no additional cost.
Major Airline Policies
American Airlines (DFW)
American Airlines has issued a travel alert stating: “If traveling to, through, or from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) your change fee is waived if you:
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- Are on an American Airlines flight
- Booked in any fare class including Basic Economy
- Purchased your ticket by September 18, 2025
- Are scheduled to fly September 19, 2025
- Travel September 19-21, 2025
- Do not change your origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the fare difference
Southwest Airlines (DAL)
Southwest Airlines is offering a waiver under “Dallas Operational Challenges”: For Friday, September 19, service in Dallas (Love Field) may experience delays, diversions, or cancellations. Customers traveling to, from, or through DAL on that date may rebook or travel standby within 14 days of the original travel date at no extra cost. If a flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose to cancel, you may receive a refund for the unused ticket and any optional travel charges. Customers using Getaways by Southwest vacation packages can check available options in the Help Center.
One thing is for sure, this isn’t how anyone pictured their Friday travel plans
