Tech troubles struck United Airlines harder than a turbulent flight on Wednesday, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling across the nation.

When United’s Unimatic system decided to throw a digital tantrum, the entire airline network came to a screeching halt, causing massive flight delays and cancellations. Over 1,000 flights experienced disruptions, with San Francisco International Airport (SFO) bearing the brunt of the tech meltdown.

A Digital Disaster Unfolds

The glitch impacted critical flight information systems, including weight calculations and flight tracking. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy quickly clarified that this was a United-specific problem, not a broader air traffic control issue. SFO saw more than 150 outbound flights delayed, seven canceled, and around 136 inbound flights experiencing similar setbacks.

Damage Control Mode

United Airlines swiftly entered damage control, promising to cover customer expenses like hotels and meals. The airline characterized the incident as a “controllable delay” while working to restore normal operations. This isn’t the first major tech fail in the airline industry, with Alaska Airlines experiencing similar ground stops earlier in the year.

The Aftermath

By Thursday morning, the ripple effects continued with seventeen additional flights canceled from SFO. Travelers were left playing an unintended game of airport roulette, hoping their flights would actually take off as scheduled.