Published November 13, 2026 7:17 PM EST
WASHINGTON - Amtrak said its booking system is returning to normal after a network outage that coincided with a nationwide FAA ground stop.
An error message on Amtrak's website while attempting to book a ticket on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.
What we know:
Users on social media started sharing frustrations over ticket reservations Friday afternoon, with travelers showing error messages on Amtrak's website and app.
Hundreds of users reported issues on DownDetector, beginning shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, with another surge just before 6 p.m.
What they're saying:
In response to a request for comment, Amtrak's Communications Director W. Kyle Anderson said that "Amtrak service is operating normally, and we are seeing increased demand for travel across our network."
Responding to a frustrated customer Friday, Amtrak officials said in a post on X that the booking issues were related to a system-wide update, but did not elaborate.
Around 9 p.m. officials said the booking systems were returning to normal.
The company said some customers may still experience issues while processing payments, booking trips or modifying existing reservations. Amtrak’s call centers experienced higher-than-normal call volumes, resulting in longer wait times for some.
FOX 5 DC attempted to call the support number during the outage, around 8 p.m., but an automated message said officials were unable to take calls due to "unusually high call volume."
The backstory:
The outage came as thousands of travelers across the country scrambled for new plans, after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop — the first since January 2023 and just the second since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The FAA has said that the ground stop was ordered due to a "temporary telecommunications outage." It has since been lifted.
The Source: Information in this story is from social media posts commenting on the ticket booking outage, error messages on Amtrak's website and app, phone calls to Amtrak's support and media relations lines and previous FOX reporting on the Federal Aviation Administration's nationwide ground stop.