For millions of travelers on October 20, 2025, a massive Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage in its US-EAST-1 region caused significant online disruption.
The outage affected airline apps and websites as well as sending shockwaves across the internet. It affected major platforms and exposed the fragility of our reliance on centralized cloud infrastructure.
Here’s why it hit airlines so hard, how they recovered, and what this means for the future of cloud-dependent systems.
What Triggered the AWS Outage?
The trouble began at 3:00 a.m. ET in AWS’s US-EAST-1 data center, located in Northern Virginia—a critical hub that powers a significant portion of the internet.
An unspecified “operational problem” caused a surge in error rates within two key AWS services: DynamoDB, a high-performance database, and DNS resolution, which directs web traffic.
This seemingly localized issue quickly spiraled into a global crisis. By early morning, the outage’s impact was undeniable.
Downdetector, a platform tracking service disruptions, recorded over 8 million reports worldwide, with half originating from the US East Coast and another 400,000 from the UK.
Major platforms like Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, Fortnite, Zoom, Coinbase, and Venmo went offline, leaving users stranded. Even Amazon’s own internal tools faltered, amplifying the chaos.
AWS announced the issue was “fully mitigated” by mid-morning, but the damage was done, and questions lingered: How could a single region’s failure disrupt the globe?
Experts point to the world’s heavy dependence on AWS’s US-EAST-1 infrastructure. As one analyst put it, “When so much of the internet runs through a handful of data centers, a single glitch can bring everything to a screeching halt.”
This outage laid bare the risks of centralized cloud systems, where one point of failure can cascade across industries and borders.
Why Airlines Were Affected
Airlines were among the hardest hit, as their booking systems, mobile apps, and check-in platforms rely heavily on AWS infrastructure.
For carriers like Delta, United, and Southwest, the outage turned a typical Monday morning into a logistical nightmare. Travelers found themselves unable to check in online, book flights, or access flight updates, leading to long lines and frustration at airports worldwide.
Delta Air Lines faced the most significant challenges. With its app and website down, passengers were forced to rely on manual check-in processes at airport counters and kiosks.
This led to slight delays for some flights, though the airline avoided widespread cancellations. United, on the other hand, demonstrated resilience by quickly switching to backup systems, allowing most of its flights to operate on schedule.
Southwest, while also affected, managed to restore operations with minimal disruption, thanks to its streamlined recovery processes.
The outage highlighted the critical role cloud services play in modern air travel. From reservation systems to real-time flight tracking, airlines depend on AWS to keep operations running smoothly. When that infrastructure fails, the ripple effects are immediate and far-reaching, leaving passengers stranded and airlines scrambling.
How Airlines Responded
Despite the chaos, airlines acted swiftly to mitigate the impact. Delta activated backup systems and encouraged passengers to use manual check-in options at airports.
In a statement, the airline reassured customers, saying, “We experienced no significant customer impact, and operations are returning to normal.” United praised its ground crews for their quick thinking, noting, “Our teams are working tirelessly to get customers on their way.”
Southwest, known for its operational efficiency, quietly normalized services without major public statements.
Passengers, too, adapted to the situation. Many turned to airport kiosks or called customer service lines to manage their travel plans.
Social media platforms buzzed with practical advice, with users sharing tips like, “Forget the app—head straight to the counter or use the kiosk!” These workarounds helped keep airports functional, even as digital systems faltered.
Broader Implications: The Risks of Cloud Dependency
The October 20 outage serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in our reliance on cloud technology. As one industry expert warned, “When an entire nation’s infrastructure depends on a few US-based providers, you’re gambling with a single point of failure.”
The phrase “putting all your eggs in one basket” has never been more apt. With AWS’s US-EAST-1 region acting as a linchpin for countless services, a single disruption can paralyze industries ranging from travel to finance to social media.
This incident also raises questions about the global digital economy’s structure. Why does so much of the world’s internet traffic flow through a single region?
Experts argue that diversifying cloud infrastructure could reduce the risk of such widespread outages. This would mean spreading data centers across regions and providers.
Additionally, companies may need to invest in more robust backup systems and localized solutions to ensure continuity during disruptions. For airlines, the outage underscores the need for redundancy in critical systems.
While United’s quick pivot to backups minimized delays, Delta’s slower recovery suggests that not all carriers are equally prepared for cloud failures.
Moving forward, airlines may need to reassess their dependence on single providers like AWS and explore hybrid or multi-cloud strategies to bolster resilience.
