A major winter storm has significantly impacted airline operations across the United States, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays. According to NPR, Southwest Airlines experienced severe operational challenges during a previous winter storm three years ago, which highlighted vulnerabilities in their computer systems. The storm affected key cities crucial to Southwest's crew network, causing prolonged disruptions. Other airlines managed to resume operations within days, but Southwest faced extended difficulties. The storm's impact underscores the fragility of airline IT systems, which are essential for managing flights, crews, and customer service. These systems are often cobbled together from various vendors, making them susceptible to cascading failures when one component fails.