UPDATE: United Airlines has lifted the ground stop for the U.S. and Canada, according to the FAA.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported that United Airlines has issued a nationwide ground stop as a result of an equipment outage. This issue is affecting all airports, causing delays for United flights across the entire country.
We are experiencing a systemwide technology issue and are holding all aircraft at their departure airports. Flights that are already airborne are continuing to their destination as planned. We will share more information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we…
— United Airlines (@united) September 5, 2023
Travelers face delays and disruptions due to United Airlines nationwide ground stop
Travelers experienced problems starting at approximately 12:30 PM Eastern Time today, and there have been more than 650 reports of issues on the Downdetector website.
As of 1:10 PM EST, all airplanes currently in the air are permitted to land, but none will be allowed to take off. It is reported that planes will be held until at least 2:00 PM EST before resuming departures, DailyMail reported.
According to FAA Advisory, United Airlines and subsidiaries “are unable to contact their dispatch through normal means.”
I can confirm, I’m sitting on a United flight right now, on the runway. Captain just informed us.
— Mindy Metcalf (@MindyMetcalf44) September 5, 2023
Many United Airlines passengers find themselves stranded on grounded planes and are using X (formerly known as Twitter) to vent their frustrations and share their experiences.
One traveler wrote, “I’m currently stuck on a United Airlines flight, their systems are down and so we can’t take off, wish me luck.”
Shocking that #unitedairlines is having technology issues causing flight delays. Now I remember why I stopped flying this airline years ago
— Lou Sierra (@LouMSierra) September 5, 2023
“I’m on one of your planes, and we can’t take off. What’s causing this system-wide outage?” another person wrote.
