Resolution Achieved for United Airlines Flight Disruption Affecting Over 1,000 Flights

A technical disruption affecting United Airlines' flight information system has been resolved, leading to continued delays into Thursday, though the situation is improving. The system, known as Unimatic, is crucial for managing flight data, including weight and balance calculations as well as tracking flight durations. The cause of the issue remains unclear, although it was addressed late Wednesday night.

On Wednesday, around 35% of United Airlines flights experienced delays, while approximately 7% were canceled, according to FlightAware, which monitors flight statuses. By Thursday morning, the situation had shown signs of improvement, with about 5% of United flights delayed and 4% canceled. Specifically, at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, there were 43 cancellations reported, predominantly involving United Airlines.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert on Wednesday indicating that all United flights bound for Chicago were temporarily grounded at their originating airports. Other major hubs, including Denver, Newark, Houston, and San Francisco, were also impacted.

According to United Airlines' travel alert page, the technology disruption could potentially affect flights to and from multiple U.S. airports from Thursday through Sunday. This includes major cities such as Denver, Newark, Washington, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, and San Francisco, as well as some European locations like London, Frankfurt, and Munich.

In an official statement, United Airlines emphasized their commitment to safety and customer service, assuring that they are actively working to restore normal operations. The company classified the outage as a controllable delay, which means they are prepared to cover customer expenses, such as hotel accommodations when necessary.

Passengers experienced significant delays, with reports indicating that some flights remained on the tarmac for extended periods. For instance, one traveler shared their frustration after landing in Houston, stating that after an hour of waiting, passengers were informed about the nationwide system failure.

The FAA acknowledged the disruption and expressed their readiness to assist United Airlines in addressing the backlog of flights. They remain in close communication with the airline during this recovery period.

United Airlines took to social media to apologize for the inconvenience caused by the travel disruptions, assuring customers of their efforts to resolve the situation swiftly and thanking them for their patience.