Despite reports to the contrary, Southwest Airlines did not experience a systems outage at Burbank Airport, California, on Wednesday. The small airport in Los Angeles County is a popular option for travelers hoping to bypass the trials of passing through LAX. On Wednesday, there were reports Southwest Airlines had been impacted by a systems outage there.

Systems running slower than normal, but no outage

But a Southwest spokesperson told Simple Flying all systems were operational at Burbank Airport on Wednesday. However, the spokesperson did say some systems were operating slower than normal on Wednesday morning. This led to what the spokesperson called "minor delays." Southwest canceled no flights out of Burbank over Wednesday.

It turns out that Hollywood Burbank Airport was not the only airport where Southwest Airlines had problems on Wednesday. There was also a confirmed systems outage at busier Orlando Airport in Florida. The delays and crowds there were described as "borderline insane."

Southwest Airlines has eight departures scheduled from Burbank Airport on Wednesday afternoon. They include flights to Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento.

With Southwest Airlines busy dealing with the fallout from Orlando, it was up to Burbank Airport to post news of the delays at Burbank Airport on social media. Notably, the Burbank Airport tweet explicitly refers to a systems outage.

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An IT issue keeps Hollywood Burbank Airport in the spotlight

At the moment, Hollywood Burbank Airport is in the spotlight because the airport is the launchpad for Avelo Airlines. In April, the startup airline began Boeing 737-800 flights from Burbank to several destinations across the western half of mainland United States. The airport also enjoys business from major carriers such as Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.

Systems outage or not, a Burbank Airport spokesperson told Simple Flying all other airlines at the airport were operating normally.

A Southwest systems outage at Orlando confirmed

Meanwhile, disgruntled passengers took to social media to vent over delays experienced at Orlando Airport earlier on Wednesday. Southwest Airlines has confirmed a systems outage there via Twitter. The airline encountered delays when checking in passengers. Reports suggest Southwest Airlines staff were forced to resort to manual check-in processes.

On social media user said earlier on Wednesday;

"You need to delay your outgoing flights from MCO by more time! The line for checking bags is more than 90 minutes long at MCO because of your system's failure. Also, no enforcement of social distancing. Total fail."

Another asked, "Any update on the insanity at MCO?"

That same Twitter user later said it took two hours to check-in at Orlando on Wednesday morning, 30 minutes to get through security, 35 minutes to board the plane (with a manual check-in), and after half an hour plus on the aircraft, the doors were still open. "If you're flying out of MCO on SWA, plan for a good three hours," the post advised.

It almost makes you wish for the deserted airports of 12 months ago!

A look at Orlando's departure board for late Wednesday shows Southwest's flights there are beginning to normalize. Later in the afternoon, there were some delays, but they were in the vicinity of 30 to 45 minutes. Into early Wednesday evening, most Southwest flights are expected to depart on or close to on time. Perhaps even more tellingly, the complaints on social media have dropped off.

Were you impacted by delays on Southwest Airlines today? Post a comment and let us know.