American Airlines flights were temporarily grounded across the United States on Tuesday (Dec. 24) due to a technical issue, disrupting travel plans during the busy holiday season.

The suspension affected airports nationwide, with thousands of passengers left waiting for updates.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), American Airlines requested a halt after encountering the problem earlier in the day. Bridgett Frey, a spokesperson for the FAA, confirmed in a statement that “American Airlines reported a technical issue this morning and requested a nationwide flight suspension. The suspension has now been lifted.”

Flights gradually resumed following the resolution of the issue, but the disruption left ripple effects across major airports, causing delays and crowding during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The airline has yet to provide full details regarding the nature of the technical glitch but assured travelers that teams worked swiftly to restore operations.

American Airlines, the largest airline in the world by fleet size and passenger volume, plays a critical role in U.S. domestic travel, making even brief disruptions significant. The timing of the technical issue, coinciding with peak holiday movements, added strain to an already packed travel schedule.

Passengers affected by the grounding order reported long waits at terminals, with some experiencing missed connections. Many travelers expressed frustration as they scrambled to rearrange plans, while others were relieved when flights began to take off later in the day.

Despite the setback, American Airlines is expected to implement additional safety checks to prevent similar incidents during the remainder of the holiday season. The FAA has indicated it will continue to monitor airline systems and offer support if further technical difficulties arise.

This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing large-scale airline operations, particularly during high-traffic periods. Travelers are advised to check with the airline for real-time updates and remain flexible as airlines work to stabilize their schedules.