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Airbus Grounds More Than 6,000 A320s for Emergency Software Patch After JetBlue Altitude Loss

Airbus has grounded over 6,000 A320 Family aircraft to install an urgent software update after an Oct. 30 JetBlue flight suffered a sudden altitude loss that hospitalized 15–20 passengers. Airbus said intense solar radiation may corrupt data used by flight controls, prompting the immediate directive. The patch takes about two hours per plane and is being applied during a busy travel period, causing notable operational disruption for several carriers. Airlines and Airbus say they will prioritize safety while working to limit delays.

01:29 PM, 11/30/2025Technology
Airbus Grounds More Than 6,000 A320s for Emergency Software Patch After JetBlue Altitude Loss

Airbus has ordered an immediate software update for A320 Family aircraft and temporarily grounded more than 6,000 jets after an investigation found that intense solar radiation could corrupt data used by flight control systems. The directive follows an Oct. 30 incident in which a JetBlue aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and 15–20 passengers were hospitalized with injuries.

What Airbus found

"Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls," Airbus said in a Nov. 28 release.

Airbus said it has identified a substantial number of in-service A320 Family aircraft that could be affected and has required operators to apply a corrective software update immediately. The company emphasized that safety is the "number one and overriding priority" and apologized for the disruption to passengers and customers.

Operational impact

The remedial procedure takes roughly two hours per aircraft. Carriers have reported wide-ranging impacts because the update is being implemented during a peak travel period. One major Latin American carrier reported that more than 70% of its fleet is affected and temporarily paused ticket sales; another carrier estimated about 209 A320s in its network require the update. A third carrier said it expects the update to have only limited operational effects.

Industry consultant Mike Stengel of AeroDynamic Advisory described the timing as particularly challenging, given how ubiquitous the A320 family is across global fleets and the proximity to high-demand holiday travel.

Next steps

Airlines and Airbus say they will work closely to roll out the software patch as quickly as possible and to minimize travel disruption while ensuring passenger and crew safety. Passengers are advised to check flight status with their carrier and be prepared for delays or schedule adjustments while operators complete the mandated updates.

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