Flummoxed by Feb. 29

The leap year was a problem for United's "Easy Check-in" system this morning

by Justin Bachman

The leap year was a problem for United Airlines' "Easy Check-in" system this morning. The nation's No. 2 airline said the date fouled software that allows passengers to check in at airports, although online check-ins and traditional agent-assistance were not affected. The system was fixed at 10:55 a.m. CDT and was operating normally, said a spokeswoman for United parent UAL Corp. (UAUA).

A quick check of other big carriers found no similar snags. A Delta spokeswoman crowed that the airline's—and I quote—"top notch" technical crew reported no technical troubles because of Feb. 29. In an e-mail, American spokesman Tim Wagner said the company experienced "no issues whatsoever—operational, technical or otherwise."

BusinessWeek columnist Stephen Wildstrom reported that United's LAX operation was "total chaos" this morning as he was attempting to fly out. Did the United software cause anyone else travel woes, such as a missed flight?

Bachman is deputy news director for BusinessWeek.com.