Travellers have been advised to expect flight delays after an IT glitch forced United Airlines to ground all domestic flights earlier today.
The carrier told guests on Twitter two hours ago that it had placed a “ground stop” on all flights as it dealt with “an IT issue”.
Apologising for the inconvenience, the airline said it was working on a resolution and was hoping to get flights back up and running as soon as possible.
A ground stop is in place for domestic flights due to an IT issue. We’re working on a resolution. We apologize for the inconvenience.
— United Airlines (@united) January 23, 2017
No less than two hours later, the airline issued another update advising travellers that the grounding had been lifted, however, a backlog of flights may cause further inconvenience to holidaymakers flying around the United States today.
“The ground stop has been lifted. We’re working to get flights on their way.”
United Airlines
“We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers.”
UPDATE: The ground stop has been lifted. We’re working to get flights on their way. We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers.
— United Airlines (@united) January 23, 2017
United guests have also taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the grounding, including one traveller who said they’d been waiting on the plane for two hours and another who was grateful to the airline for paying for his beer:
Stuck in Chicago due to @united IT mess, but at least they paid for my beer!! #ThanksALot
— JC (@jcronomiz) January 23, 2017
in 10min would have been at destination instead stuck on plane for 2hrs just told we will head back to gate why cant we just go
— Chelsea Rumbley (@KickInTheHead26) January 23, 2017
