Senators Demand Answers from Airlines after Recent Outages
Over the past month, there have been large system outages at two of the largest airlines in the nation. Now, a couple of US Senators are demanding answers.
Yesterday, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Edward Markey sent letters to the largest 13 US-based airlines asking what they're doing to fix the problems causing these outages. A copy of the letter sent to Delta has been publicly posted (caution: PDF link).
In addition to requesting information about the cause of past outages and back-up systems in place, the senators are also requesting answers to how airlines respond to such outages. The letter asks for information about whether airlines rebook passengers on other airlines and the "compensation and recourse" the airline provides stranded travelers.
The letter requests that the airlines address and respond to all of these questions by September 16. However, there seems to be no legal requirement for any of the 13 airlines to respond to these requests, so it'll be interesting to see if they choose to discard these requests or comply. The decision might vary from carrier to carrier, as well. Responding might reveal just how fragile an airline's systems are and how traveler-unfriendly its policies are. But, ignoring the senators' request may lead to congressional hearings on the topic — further harming the carrier's reputation.
Consolidation Creates Larger Impact
Recent mergers between Delta/Northwest, Southwest/AirTran, American/US Air and United/Continental have created mass concentration in the airline industry. These four post-merger carriers serve a large majority of the nation's air travel needs. The senators point out in their letter:
Now that four air carriers control approximately 85 percent of domestic capacity, all it takes is one airline to experience an outage and thousands of passengers could be stranded, resulting in missed business meetings, graduations, weddings, funerals and other prepaid events.
All four of these referenced air carriers have now seen outages over the 13 months:
- Delta (August 2016): Delta Power Outage Leaves Thousands of Passengers Stranded
- Southwest (July 2016): Southwest Airlines' Computer Glitch Causes FAA to Issue Ground Stop on Its Flights
- American (September 2015): American Airlines Flights Grounded Due to Technical Glitch
- United (July 2015): Computer Bug Grounds United Flights Nationwide
Bottom Line
The airlines have been recording record profits over the past few years, but lack of competition or oversight has created complacency. We are hopeful that this letter from the senators serves as a wake-up call for airlines to address the underlying IT issues that have led to these recent system outages.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees