OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has apologised to users after the company’s staggered release of its latest frontier AI model, GPT-6 Astra, which initially left paid ChatGPT subscribers without any access.
GPT-6 Astra release faces delays
On September 3, the ChatGPT manufacturer launched GPT-6 Astra, describing it as a cutting-edge model, which is particularly designed for computer use, science, coding, professional work, and safety.
However, the launch was staggered, which has sparked frustration among everyone who expected access immediately.
Initially, the company launched the model for a select number of organisations, with access for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise subscribers promised over the following days.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Altman told users the company should be able to expand its access towards a broader audience to API customers and ChatGPT subscribers “in the near future,” starting, as usual, with Pro subscribers.
OpenAI offers compensation
With increasing complaints, OpenAI offered a compensation to the affected paid subscribers.
Thibault Sottiaux, who leads Codex, the company’s software engineering agent, announced a compensation measure at 11:12 PM on September 3, 2026, stating, OpenAI will give one banked reset for every day a user lacks access to Astra on a paid ChatGPT plan, starting that day, with the first reset landing roughly three hours after his post.
He stated the team was “moving mountains” to expand access as fast as possible.
Altman later said he was hopeful that subscribers would be able to use Astra during the weekend of September 5–6, although he stressed that he couldn’t provide the timeline.
