United Airlines technology issue has led to significant disruptions in its mainline flight operations across multiple major U.S. airports. On the evening of August 6, 2025, the airline experienced a critical technology outage that forced it to hold hundreds of flights at their departure airports, resulting in more than 1,000 delays and over 200 cancellations nationwide.
The cause of the outage was traced to a malfunction in United’s weight and balance computer system, a critical component for flight safety and operations. This system supports calculations necessary to ensure aircraft are loaded correctly for safe travel. The airline quickly halted departures shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern Time as the issue emerged and coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which issued ground stops at several United hub airports, including Newark Liberty International, Denver International, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Chicago O’Hare, and San Francisco International Airport.
Although the underlying technology problem was resolved after a few hours on the night of August 6, the effects of the outage lingered into the next day with residual delays expected. An estimated 28% of United’s scheduled flights faced delays on the day of the outage, and the disruption continued to impact operations with more cancellations and delays recorded on August 7.
Passengers at affected airports reported significant inconveniences. Many were stuck on the tarmac or boarding areas waiting for hours without clear information on when flights would depart. Some flights that were about to take off returned to gates to allow passengers to disembark. United Airlines responded by assisting customers with accommodations such as meals and hotel stays for those impacted by the delays.
In a statement, United Airlines emphasized that safety remains the highest priority, stating, “We are working with customers to get them to their destinations after a technology disruption on Wednesday evening. The underlying technology issue has been resolved, and while we expect residual delays, our team is working to restore our normal operations.” The airline also confirmed that the outage was unrelated to any cyberattack or external security breach.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commented on the incident, noting it was an “internal outage” specific to United Airlines and unrelated to the broader air traffic control system. The FAA pledged full support to United Airlines in helping clear the flight backlog caused by the disruption.
This technology issue follows a somewhat similar incident in the recent past involving Alaska Airlines, which had to ground flights due to a system failure with its weight and balance system. Such events highlight the critical reliance airlines have on technological systems for safe and efficient flight operations.
Here is a snapshot of the impact from the outage:
- Over 1,000 United Airlines flights delayed on August 6
- More than 200 cancellations nationwide
- Major hubs affected include Newark, Denver, Houston, Chicago, and San Francisco
- Continued residual delays and cancellations reported on August 7
- United covering meals and hotel accommodations for affected passengers
- Ground stop lifted after a few hours, but delays continue during recovery
Travelers are encouraged to check flight statuses and prepare for possible further delays as United works to normalize schedules. The airline’s customer service teams remain active to support disrupted travelers.
If you were affected by this disruption or wish to share your experience, feel free to comment below. Stay informed for further updates as United Airlines continues recovery efforts.