• United Airlines halted all departures nationwide due to a critical technology failure affecting its weight and balance system.
• Over 820 flights were delayed and dozens canceled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated across major US airports.
• The FAA issued the ground stop, worked closely with United, and lifted it after systems started recovering, but delays continued through the night.

Thousands of travelers were left stranded and fuming on Tuesday night as United Airlines suddenly halted all departures from major airports across the United States. A sudden technology glitch triggered a nationwide ground stop, sending ripple effects through airports in Chicago, Denver, Newark, Houston, and San Francisco.

The disruption, which began in the early evening, prompted chaos both in the air and on the ground. Flights were paused mid-boarding, gates became overcrowded, and frustrated passengers vented online as confusion spread faster than answers.

Flights Frozen as United Grapples With System Malfunction

United Airlines confirmed the source of the problem was not a cyberattack but rather a malfunction within its weight and balance computer system—critical software that calculates how aircrafts are loaded before departure.

“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” the airline said in a public statement. “We expect additional flight delays this evening as we work through this issue. Safety is our top priority, and we’ll work with our customers to get them to their destinations.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the ground stop as a safety precaution, ensuring no United planes took off until the issue was resolved. Planes already in the air were permitted to continue to their destinations, but the damage on the ground was already done.

Delays Stack Up as Tempers Flare

By 9:30 p.m. EST, when the system began to recover, hundreds of flights already suffered delays. Flight-tracking site FlightAware reported more than 820 United flights delayed and at least 26 canceled. Some delays lasted over five hours.

The fallout was immediate and brutal for passengers stuck in limbo. With little communication from the airline, many turned to social media to express their frustration and confusion.

Biochemist Robert Malone wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “I’m on the tarmac for a United flight that has been grounded. The flight attendant says the entire United system for all planes in the USA is down right now. Let’s hope they fix it quickly, or it’s going to be a long night for everyone.”

Another traveler, James Michaels, reported from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston that his plane should have departed five hours earlier. “No other United Airlines planes are leaving the tarmac. This is crazy,” he posted in disbelief.

Meanwhile, a first-time United flyer expressed deep regret. “My first experience with United and it’s already a bust,” they wrote from their stalled flight at Washington Dulles International Airport.

A Bad Year Gets Worse for United

This isn’t the first time United Airlines has had to pull the emergency brake on all flights. Just a few weeks ago, on July 24, a fire alarm at United’s operations center in Chicago caused a temporary nationwide stop. Employees had to evacuate and work from a backup facility until the issue was under control.

At the time, United framed the incident as brief and resolved—but with another system-wide meltdown so soon after, travelers are beginning to question whether this is just bad luck or a deeper issue with the airline’s operations.

Public Outcry Grows: “Unacceptable”

The scenes across airports were nothing short of chaotic. Long lines snaked through terminals as passengers waited for updates. Airline staff appeared overwhelmed, with many unable to offer clear information about when flights would resume.

Tension boiled over at several airports as travelers demanded answers. Children cried, business travelers missed connections, and vacationers watched their plans unravel.

“United should have had a backup plan for this,” one frustrated woman told reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport. “This is not a weather issue. It’s not even a cyberattack. It’s their own tech. They need to do better.”

Critics on social media echoed those sentiments, calling the airline’s handling of the situation “unacceptable” and “embarrassing.” Some called for greater FAA oversight and better contingency planning.

FAA Steps In to Assist

The FAA remained in close communication with United throughout the evening and said it had offered “full support” to help the airline sort through the growing backlog of delayed flights.

“We are working closely with United Airlines to monitor the situation and support efforts to restore normal operations,” the FAA said in a short statement late Tuesday night.

However, even after the ground stop was lifted, the night was far from over for many. United warned that travelers should still expect significant delays as they attempted to untangle the logistical mess.

Travelers Left to Pick Up the Pieces

By midnight, airports looked like makeshift campsites. Passengers stretched out on floors, slumped in chairs, and hunted for scarce power outlets. Some tried to rebook for the next day, while others faced the grim reality of sleeping in the terminal.

Hotels near affected airports quickly filled up, and ride-share prices surged due to high demand. In Houston and Newark, travelers reported waits of up to 90 minutes just to get through customer service lines.

For families traveling with kids or elderly relatives, the ordeal was even harder. “I’ve been traveling for 12 hours already, and now we don’t even know if we’re going to make it to our hotel,” said one father, bouncing his crying toddler on his knee.

What’s Next for United?

This latest meltdown adds another dent to United’s already turbulent year. The airline, which was still recovering from pandemic-era turbulence and staffing shortages, now finds itself under renewed scrutiny for its operational resilience.

Industry experts say these kinds of technical issues are becoming increasingly common as airlines depend more heavily on complex software systems. However, passengers and watchdog groups are demanding stronger safeguards and faster responses.

“Airlines are flying blind if they don’t invest properly in IT infrastructure and system backups,” said aviation analyst Tim Garrity. “This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a breakdown in public trust.”