2025-08-07 06:00:12.853

A system outage at United Airlines on Wednesday evening caused significant travel chaos for passengers across the United States. The outage grounded United flights at major airports, including Chicago, Denver, Newark, Houston, and San Francisco. While United stated that the underlying technology issue was resolved late Wednesday, they warned of lingering delays. The airline confirmed that the issue was not related to cybersecurity. The Federal Aviation Authority offered its full support to United to help address the flight backlog. Passengers took to social media to express their frustration, reporting waits of over two hours on the tarmac, conflicting information from United, and stressful situations, particularly for families with young children. One passenger described waiting on a plane for over two and a half hours, while another recounted being stuck on the tarmac for over an hour at Newark Airport with crying babies onboard. The situation caused significant disruption and inconvenience for travelers, highlighting the potential impact of technological failures on air travel.

2025-05-09 06:01:02.925

The first day of mandatory REAL ID enforcement for domestic air travel went surprisingly smoothly, despite initial concerns about a chaotic rollout. While many passengers chose to use their passports, those without REAL IDs were directed to separate lines for enhanced screening. Although 81% of travelers are REAL ID compliant according to the Department of Homeland Security, some states have significantly lower rates. Airports like Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson even eliminated extra security lanes due to low demand for enhanced screening. Despite the smooth rollout, officials are urging travelers to obtain REAL IDs promptly, especially with the busy summer travel season approaching. States like Illinois (below 50% compliance), Alabama (33% compliance), and North Carolina (52% compliance) have particularly low rates. The TSA is working collaboratively with states and airlines to increase compliance, but travelers without REAL IDs are advised to get them as soon as possible to avoid potential delays.