United Airlines experienced a major system outage Wednesday night, disrupting operations nationwide and forcing the temporary grounding of its mainline flights at key airports, officials confirmed.
Technology Failure Forces Ground Stop at Major Airports
The issue began around 7 p.m. CDT when United confirmed a technology failure impacting flight operations. Within an hour, United announced systems were coming back online but warned of ongoing delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at major hubs including Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Newark, Houston’s George Bush, and San Francisco. By 10:30 p.m. EDT, ground stops remained only in Denver and Newark.
Impact: Flight Delays and Cancellations
By late evening, over 1,300 United flights were delayed and 53 canceled, according to FlightAware. O’Hare alone saw 16 cancellations by 9:30 p.m. CDT, with video footage showing planes idling on tarmacs awaiting gates.
United clarified that United Express regional flights and aircraft already in the air were not affected.
Embed from Getty ImagesIssue Resolved but Residual Delays Expected
United said the outage affected its system that calculates weight, balance, and flight tracking but was not related to a cybersecurity breach.
“We expect residual delays as we work to restore normal operations,” the airline said in a statement.
Background: Growing Concerns Over Airline’s Tech Infrastructure
This incident adds to recent operational hiccups raising questions about United Airlines’ technology systems. The FAA confirmed that United requested the ground stop as a precaution.
What Travelers Need to Know
Passengers are advised to check flight status with United directly. Connecting flights with other airlines may also face delays.
