Passengers using United Airlines experienced widespread delays Wednesday evening following a major technical glitch that prompted the airline to issue a ground stop for its mainline flights across key airports, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Francisco, and New Jersey. The service interruption began around 10 PM EDT and was lifted hours later, although ongoing disruptions were expected.
United Airlines confirmed that the technical issue had been resolved and reassured travelers that their team was actively working to restore normal operations. Despite the resolution, by 9 PM EDT, over 700 flights were reported delayed, with some passengers stuck onboard planes for extended periods awaiting further instructions.
Jessica Jeffers, a passenger caught in Denver while attempting to fly to Newark, documented her frustrating experience, stating, "It's been pretty rough over here" after being on the tarmac for two hours. Many others echoed her sentiments on social media, expressing dissatisfaction and concern over lengthy waits with little communication.
While regional flights were not directly affected by the ground stop, travelers were warned of potential delays due to traffic fallout from the halted mainline services. The airline has characterized this incident as a preventable delay and stated that it would likely cover additional expenses incurred by affected passengers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy provided an update following a briefing from United Airlines, confirming that the glitch was "unrelated to the broader air traffic control system" in the United States, aimed at assuring travelers amidst the chaos. United Airlines is working diligently to rectify the situation and mitigate further inconveniences for its customers.
