System Outage at New York’s JFK Airport Disrupts Travel at Terminal Four: What You Need To Know

Published on November 24, 2025

A major system failure on Sunday, November 23, 2025, caused the halting of operations at Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and thus, chaos for the passengers. The disruption of the technical infrastructure led to long wait times as the passengers could not check in or go through the normal airport process, and thus made the situation even worse than it was, because of the Thanksgiving hustle and bustle.

Unfolding Situation at JFK Airport

The issue began mid-morning when passengers arriving at Terminal 4 found that computer systems were down, preventing them from checking in or processing their luggage. One traveller shared their experience on social media, reporting that even after arriving at the airport at 11:20 a.m., the lines had not moved. This setback affected all airlines operating out of the terminal, creating widespread delays and confusion.

Etihad Airways, one of the airlines affected, quickly acknowledged the situation via its customer service account on X. The airline confirmed that the system outage was affecting all operations in JFK’s Terminal 4, and staff were working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Impact on Passengers and Airport Operations

As videos began circulating on social media, they depicted packed terminal areas with frustrated and stranded passengers. The airport staff had to switch to manual processing of passengers, assisting with check-ins and rebooking flights while troubleshooting the issue. Unfortunately, the cause of the outage remains unclear, and as of Sunday afternoon, airport officials had not provided details on the root cause of the system failure.

This disruption occurred at one of the busiest travel times of the year, as millions of Americans were traveling ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. With an influx of passengers flying out of JFK during this period, the timing of the outage could not have been worse. Many travellers faced long delays, missed connections, and uncertainties surrounding their flight statuses.

Travelers React and Airport Response

The response at JFK Airport involved significant effort from airport staff and airlines to manage the situation. While passengers were stranded in packed terminal spaces, staff worked to manually process travelers, helping them check in and rebook their flights. Several social media accounts documented the frustration of passengers who were unable to proceed with their check-in process.

While this manual intervention helped alleviate some of the pressure, the larger issue of the system outage remained unresolved for several hours. The technical failure served as a reminder of the dependence modern airports have on digital infrastructure. A small failure in one of these systems can quickly spiral into major operational disruptions, affecting thousands of travelers in a matter of hours.

What Travellers Should Know

Travellers affected by the outage at JFK Airport are advised to check directly with their airline for updates regarding their flight status, as normal operations may take time to resume. Airport officials have not yet released a timeline for when systems will be fully restored, and no official statement has been made regarding compensation for those affected.

JFK is expected to experience significant delays due to the cascading effects of the outage. Flight connections may be delayed, and passengers are encouraged to keep in touch with their airlines for rebooking options and to confirm the status of their flights.

A Setback for Thanksgiving Travel

For many travelers hoping to make it to family gatherings during the Thanksgiving holiday, the system outage at JFK’s Terminal 4 has created significant travel headaches. Although airport staff is working diligently to resolve the situation, it highlights the complexities involved in modern airport operations and the potential for disruptions during peak travel periods.

As JFK works to restore full services, affected passengers should monitor their flight status closely and expect delays. This outage serves as a reminder of the importance of contingency planning in air travel, especially during the high-traffic holiday season.