Recall Shakes Up Thanksgiving Travel Weekend
On Friday, November 28, 2025, Airbus announced a major recall of 6,000 A320-family aircraft—over half the global fleet—just as the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend kicked off in the United States. Around 3,000 jets were already airborne when the order landed, triggering immediate operational challenges for airlines worldwide.
Scope of the Recall
The issue stems from a software glitch in the flight control system, potentially linked to solar flare interference. Airlines must revert to an earlier software version before affected planes can return to service. While the rollback takes roughly two hours per aircraft, more than 1,000 jets may also need hardware checks, straining maintenance teams already facing labor shortages.
Airlines Brace for Delays
American Airlines, the world’s largest A320 operator, reported that 340 of its 480 A320s require the fix, aiming to complete most by Saturday morning. Germany’s Lufthansa, India’s IndiGo and UK-based easyJet are also grounding jets for brief repairs. Colombia’s Avianca closed ticket sales through December 8 after over 70 percent of its fleet was affected.
Air France canceled 35 flights (5 percent of its daily total), while Mexico’s Volaris warned of delays or cancellations lasting up to 72 hours. Air New Zealand has likewise flagged multiple route changes.
Traveler Tips for the Weekend
With one of the busiest travel weekends underway, passengers should:
- Check flight status online before heading to the airport
- Consider flexible tickets or travel insurance
- Plan backup routes via alternate carriers or transport modes
As airlines race to complete software rollbacks by Saturday, November 29, delays and cancellations may persist into early December. Stay tuned for updates as carriers work to get grounded jets back in the air.
Reference(s):
Airbus issues major A320 recall, disrupts Thanksgiving travel
cgtn.com
