Southwest Airlines, the fourth largest airline in the U.S., was largely unaffected by the CrowdStrike issue due to its usage of Windows 3.1. Chaos ensued only among those airlines that were utilizing current versions of Windows.
Released in 1992, Windows 3.1 no longer receives updates. Therefore, when CrowdStrike sent a faulty update to all its clients, Southwest remained unharmed. In contrast, other companies were forced to ground their fleets as many of their systems stopped functioning.
Southwest has often faced criticism for its outdated systems, but the reliable old operating system protected its customers from stress and complications. Nevertheless, the CrowdStrike issue did not completely spare Southwest passengers as many airports also experienced systemic challenges.
In addition to Windows 3.1, Southwest also relies on Windows 95 for its staff scheduling system. While it's a newer operating system, it is outdated compared to modern technologies, prompting many airline employees to voice their concerns about it.
However, the global CrowdStrike failure may provide arguments for Southwest to avoid updating its systems. If a system isn’t receiving updates, it won't break: “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” One user on X suggested the company switch to Windows XP, which also no longer receives updates but could run Windows 3.1 applications in compatibility mode. Overall, this situation illustrates why some companies hesitate to update their hardware and software for decades.
Source: Tom's Hardware
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