The storms that hit North Texas on Christmas Eve presented major challenges for airline passengers arriving and departing from DFW International Airport. The website Flight Aware reported that American Airlines had delayed 1,040 flights systemwide as of 5:30 p.m. Most of those, 802 flights, were to and from DFW Airport, the largest hub and home base in the United States.

But it wasn’t just the weather.

Earlier in the morning, a spokesman for American Airlines said one of its providers was experiencing a technology issue that led to a nationwide grounding. The spokesman said the problem was resolved an hour later.

Debbie Schlier said she and her husband suffered a double whammy. Their morning flight to California was delayed due to a technical glitch, and their next departure was delayed by the storms.

“It kept getting delayed. As we got closer to the hour there were delays again and eventually it was canceled.”

Alberto Cazares was supposed to be on the same canceled flight.

“They told us there were no flights to Fresno. All direct flights have been canceled. We’re trying to find our way.”

So he, Debbie and her husband, and others who had just met each other, decided they would rent a van and make the 22-hour drive together. Schlier said, “We’re going to take a road trip, sing some Christmas carols, Feliz Navidad, all the way to Fresno.”

Rhonda Holmes said she and her daughter Aliya arrived two hours late from Cleveland because of the technical glitch. They said the storms in North Texas almost diverted their flight to Kansas. Rhonda Holmes said, “We were over Wichita, Kansas, and the pilot gets on the intercom and says it’s a Christmas miracle, now we can fly to Dallas.” When asked if they felt like the Grinch had them Almost stealing Christmas, they pointed to one of Aliya’s fingernails that had a Grinch painted on it and laughed.

Aside from American Airlines, other airlines also experienced delayed flights at DFW International Airport. Airlines recommend that passengers check their flight status before heading to the airport.