Ground Stop Lasted About 30 Minutes, But Some Flights Delayed For Hours

A computer glitch Tuesday morning caused all United Airlines flights to be grounded for about half an hour Tuesday, but for some passengers, the delay was much longer.

The FAA stopped United flights about 8:54 a.m. EDT, citing what it said were "automation issues." United added in a Tweet that it was delaying its flights "to ensure aircraft departed with proper dispatch information." The ground stop was lifted by the FAA at about 9:33 a.m. EDT.

However, by that time, the damage had been done, and many flights waited on the tarmac for much longer periods for a departure slot. USA Today reports that several people on board United flights took to Twitter to voice their displeasure. "#UnitedAirlines what's happening to flight 541 departing JFK? Two hours delayed and still sitting on the plane. Time for #virginamerica," tweeted a user named Adrian. "#UnitedAirlines @United stuck on tarmac at DCA due to flight plan fiasco...can't they at least give us a free movie?," asked user Saul Kravitz.

A United spokesman said that the airline was "accommodating our customers to their destinations."

FMI: www.united.com