Airbus working ‘around the clock’ to fix software glitch affecting thousands of A320 jets
Airbus has issued a significant recall affecting its A320 jets, a move prompted by concerns over potential data corruption linked to intense solar radiation. The company announced the recall late Friday, stating that the issue could jeopardize critical flight control data, necessitating immediate software updates for a substantial number of A320 family aircraft. This recall is particularly impactful in the United States, where hundreds of planes are affected, including those operated by major airlines such as Delta, American Airlines, United, JetBlue, Frontier, and Spirit. With over 1,600 A320 aircraft in service in the U.S. alone, and approximately 6,000 globally requiring the software fix, the logistical challenges of implementing these updates are considerable.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged the disruption caused by the recall, emphasizing that teams are working tirelessly to support airlines in deploying the necessary updates. American Airlines reported that the number of affected aircraft was initially over 340 but has since been revised to 209, with the airline optimistic about completing the updates swiftly. Delta Airlines indicated that fewer than 50 of its A321neo aircraft would be impacted, with updates scheduled to coincide with routine maintenance. Meanwhile, United Airlines expects only minor disruptions, with just six of its aircraft needing updates. The timing of the recall is particularly unfortunate, as it coincides with a peak holiday travel weekend, raising concerns over potential flight delays and cancellations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. This situation adds to the challenges faced by airlines and travelers, following a recent government shutdown that had already disrupted air travel in the lead-up to Thanksgiving.
Airbus issued a recall on Friday.
STEPHANE MAHE/REUTERS
Airbus teams are racing to help airlines fix an issue affecting A320 jets.
The company recalled some of the planes late Friday due to data corruption risks from solar flares.
The recall could impact hundreds of planes in the US.
Airlines across the world are working to repair a software glitch affecting thousands of Airbus A320 jets this weekend.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said on Saturday that the fix had been causing “significant logistical challenges and delays since yesterday” and apologized for the disruption to clients and passengers.
“Our teams are working around the clock to support our operators and ensure these updates are deployed as swiftly as possible to get planes back in the sky and resume normal operations,” he said.
Airbus
issued a major recall on Friday after it
said
it had discovered a potential data corruption issue on many of its A320 jets.
In a statement, the company said that “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls” and that “a significant number of A320 Family aircraft” needed immediate updates as a result.
“Airbus acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers,” it added.
A spokesperson for Airbus told Business Insider via email that the issue is tied to a “specific software version carried by A320 Family aircraft, some of which are operating in the US.”
The recall will impact hundreds of planes in the US, in addition to aircraft overseas.
More than 1,600 aircraft from the A320 family are in service in the US, including many operated by Delta, American Airlines, United, JetBlue, Frontier, and Spirit, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company.
Around 6,000 A320s globally are expected to require the software fix.
American Airlines said in an updated statement Friday night that 209 aircraft were affected, down from the more than 340 that were initially identified. The company said it only had about 150 aircraft left to update as of 7 p.m. ET.
“We expect the overwhelming majority of those to be completed today and through the night, with only a handful remaining for completion tomorrow,” the company said.
American Airlines told Business Insider earlier on Friday that it expected the updates to take about two hours per aircraft.
Delta said the issue should only affect a “small portion” of its A321neo aircraft, fewer than 50 planes. Delta told Business Insider the work would be done “by Saturday morning through already planned aircraft maintenance touchpoints.”
A Frontier spokesperson said the company received the notice from Airbus and is evaluating the situation.
A spokesperson from United Airlines said six of its aircraft would need an update and that the carrier expected “minor disruption to a few flights.” Spokespeople from JetBlue and Spirit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The recall comes during one of the peak holiday travel weekends, which could complicate schedules if aircraft need additional downtime. The
Sunday after Thanksgiving
is usually one of the busiest air travel days of the year.
It adds to what’s already been a difficult stretch for airlines and travelers. The
government shutdown
, which lasted from October to mid-November, resulted in numerous flight cancellations and delays in the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Update: November 28, 2025 — This story has been updated to include additional statements from American Airlines and United Airlines.
Read the original article on
Business Insider
