Quantcast
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program

United Airlines flight delayed over four hours on tarmac before reaching destination

Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

A United Airlines flight from Houston to San José, Costa Rica, encountered significant delays, leading to frustration among passengers. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was scheduled to depart at 14:33 but pushed back at 16:46 due to a two-hour delay. However, the aircraft remained on the tarmac for more than four hours before returning to the gate.

Passenger Misty Mousa-Lanza and her daughter Chloe were among those affected. Mousa-Lanza shared their experience in a TikTok video that went viral, criticizing United for having "absolutely no plan B and absolutely no communication." She described the lack of food and water onboard and mentioned issues with the toilets. "It’s now officially past the four-hour mark," she said in the video.

The aircraft eventually returned to gate E1 at 20:23 after sitting on the tarmac for several hours. Passengers faced additional challenges once back inside the terminal, including insufficient assistance for those with disabilities.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Mousa-Lanza interviewed one of the pilots who referred to the situation as “a nightmare” caused by weather over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot explained that rerouting due to poor weather required more fuel than available.

FlightAware data showed that Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport experienced 697 delays and 212 cancellations on Saturday. UA1055 finally departed again at 02:59 on Sunday and arrived in San José nearly 12 hours late.

United Airlines has not commented on the incident despite being contacted by Simple Flying. According to new Department of Transportation regulations, passengers like Mousa-Lanza are entitled to cash refunds when flights are significantly delayed or canceled.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines has announced plans to enhance its inflight entertainment systems by introducing Bluetooth connectivity on more aircraft, starting in 2026.

Jan 8, 2025

The Lombardy region, known for its lakes and landscapes, offers visitors a chance to experience stunning scenery, local cuisine, and numerous activities.

Jan 8, 2025

The Lufthansa Group has announced plans to hire approximately 10,000 new employees across various roles in 2025.

Jan 8, 2025

Malaysia has launched a campaign to boost tourism in 2026, called Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

Jan 7, 2025

Air Canada Aeroplan is offering a limited-time promotion, allowing select members to receive up to a 100% bonus when purchasing Aeroplan points until January 14.

Jan 7, 2025

The United States Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, has expressed concerns about Boeing's ongoing efforts to address cultural and operational deficiencies.

Jan 7, 2025