Southwest: Technical Issues Delay Hundreds Of Flights

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Computer problems getting the blame for some big time delays for Southwest Airlines passengers across the country today.

WJZ's Derek Valcourt has the details

From Los Angeles to Chicago, from Denver to Baltimore, lines at Southwest were longer than usual.

Southwest says intermittent technical problems affected their website, their app, their phone centers, and the computers at dozens of airports. Those problems forced staff to check in passengers manually and that caused lines to back up.

"[About] an hour in the express lane and it hasn't moved in the last 30 minutes, so it's going to be a long day," said Marley Cool.

The delays impacted their baggage system as well and even the outside lines are curbside check-in.

The airline was asking all of its passengers to come to the airport 2 hours early, to make sure they had plenty of time to check everyone in.

Some passengers like Dan Henning heeded that advice.

"So I came an hour earlier than I was expecting to and I had a five minute wait in line and checked my bag with no problem, so far, no effect on me," he said.

But many more were still left frustrated and late.

By late afternoon Southwest reported the problems delayed more than 450 flights

"I guess that's today's life. Everything's online everything's the internet.  It is what it is I guess.  I'm not happy about it, but hopefully they'll fix it up," said Sam Britten.

It appears the problem may not be fixed just yet so passengers hoping to catch a Southwest flight in the morning may want to get to the airport extra early.

Southwest hasn't been released any details about what's causing the computer problems , only that's it's across their entire system and that they team is working non-stop to fix it.

For more information regarding your Southwest flight you may call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).