United ground stop headlines dominated airports across the United States late Wednesday, August 6, 2025, as United Airlines abruptly halted all its mainline flights following a major technology problem. Travelers at key airports—Chicago O’Hare, Newark Liberty, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Denver International, and San Francisco—experienced mounting delays and cancellations as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented the sudden ground stop at United’s request.
What Triggered the United Ground Stop?
According to United Airlines and federal officials, the issue stemmed from a failure in the airline’s weight and balance computer system—a critical tool used before flights can depart. This complex system calculates how cargo, passengers, and fuel are distributed on board, ensuring aircraft safety during takeoff and landing. Without confidence in this system, United took the rare step of grounding every mainline flight scheduled to depart from their hubs and spoke out clearly about the situation:
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports. 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”.
Scope and Impact: Who Was Affected?
- The ground stop covered United Airlines’ mainline operations—including Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787 jets, and Airbus A319/A320 models—across the US and did not affect regional United Express flights.
- Any mainline flight that had not yet taken off was held at its gate. Flights already airborne continued to their destinations.
- Passengers reported sitting on planes waiting for clearance, while others faced lengthy lines at terminal gates as updates trickled in.
- Videos and social media posts showed long queues, grounded aircraft waiting on tarmacs, and hundreds of travelers seeking answers at affected hubs.
Key Airports Impacted
How Long Did the Ground Stop Last?
At the time of publication, United Airlines and the FAA were actively working on restoring system integrity. The ground stop caused significant delays, with some flights potentially facing cancellations if resolution stretched into the night. Past incidents of major US airline system outages have led to cascading travel disruptions—sometimes extending recovery efforts for hours.
Was This a Cyberattack?
United Airlines confirmed that despite speculation, the problem did not originate from a cyberattack. Instead, the focus was entirely on fixing the airline’s internal system fault. The FAA and United emphasized that safety concerns prompted the ground stop and strong passenger frustration was understandable but secondary to ensuring no aircraft took off without all critical checks.
What Should Travelers Do?
- Check flight status frequently via the United Airlines website or app.
- If caught at the airport, stay near your gate and listen for updates.
- Expect delays and, in some cases, rebookings. United’s teams were onsite assisting customers late into the night.
- For travelers with imminent connections or international flights from the US, check with United directly to confirm travel arrangements.
The Broader Picture
This United ground stop underscores the aviation industry’s reliance on complex digital systems for safe operations. Experts noted that when critical infrastructure fails, airlines are compelled to halt departures—no matter the inconvenience. United’s transparency and the FAA’s quick public statements helped reduce panic, but frustration rippled through affected terminals nationwide.
If you found yourself impacted by the United ground stop, share your experience in the comments below or check back here for real-time updates as the situation evolves.