A critical software update gone wrong triggered a domino effect on July 19, 2024, causing a global Microsoft-CrowdStrike outage that crippled critical infrastructure, businesses, and organizations worldwide, especially the airline industry. However, amidst the pandemonium, Southwest Airlines in the United Stated seemed to have weathered the storm with surprising grace.
While competitor airlines grounded their fleets and scrambled for solutions, Southwest continued operating with minimal disruptions. The reason: the airline is still using Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 that is 32-years-old!
How Did Southwest Survive BSOD?
The faulty update from cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike last Friday sent millions of Windows systems into a tailspin, causing widespread chaos leading to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
Airports became battlegrounds of long lines and cancelled flights, hospitals struggled with limited access to patient records, and financial institutions experienced service outages.
The airlines affected by the CrowdStrike update had to ground their fleets because many of their background systems refused to operate. These systems could include pilot and fleet scheduling, maintenance records, ticketing, etc.
According to this article on Forbes.com, in the United States alone, airlines cancelled 3,675 flights or 14 per cent of the total fleets. Another 56 per cent of all flights were late by 15 minutes or more.
By 6 pm Friday, Delta Airlines had cancelled 1,326 flights, United had cancelled 562 and American had cancelled 466.
Southwest however stood tall during the crisis. It cancelled just three of its 4,390 departures. Also 94 per cent of Southwest flights departed within an hour of the scheduled time. So how did Southwest survive the Crowdstrike outage?
Explaining the scenario, a website named govtech says, “That’s because major portions of the airline’s computer systems are still using Windows 3.1, a 32-year-old version of Microsoft’s computer operating software. It’s so old that the CrowdStrike issue doesn’t affect it so Southwest is still operating as normal. It’s typically not a good idea to wait so long to update, but in this one instance Southwest has done itself a favor.”
Windows 3.1, launched in 1992, doesn’t get any updates. So, when CrowdStrike pushed the faulty update to all its customers, Southwest wasn’t affected as it didn’t receive an update. Apart from Windows 3.1, Southwest also uses Windows 95 for its staff scheduling system. It is a newer operating system — about three years younger than Windows 3.1 — but it’s ancient compared to today’s tech. Many of the
Memes Galore After Southwest Dodges the Bullet
This unexpected resilience of Southwest Airlines sparked online jokes and memes, with some netizens poking fun at the airline’s supposedly “outdated” technology. Users on social media platform X took this opportunity to create memes and poke fun at the airline and its alleged attitude of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Southwest Grappling with ‘Modern’ Issues
While Southwest’s outdated systems were a saving grace in this instance, it highlights the potential risks associated with such dated technology. The airline previously faced significant disruptions due to these very systems, resulting in hefty fines and a commitment to modernization efforts.
During the holiday season in 2022, Southwest had to cancel 16,900 flights leaving around two million passengers stranded. This resulted in a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement. The airline also committed to spending $1.3 billion to update its technology.
Southwest will likely need to navigate a path that prioritizes both robust cybersecurity and the gradual integration of modern, reliable systems to avoid future outages and maintain passenger trust.
