United Airlines is offering travelers unprecedented flexibility in response to a surge of delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport, a major U.S. air travel hub now grappling with ongoing operational disruptions.
The airline, headquartered in Chicago and with a significant hub at Newark, has expanded its travel waiver policy to accommodate passengers affected by the continuing fallout from air traffic control issues. Customers with tickets to or from Newark between May 6 and May 17, 2025, are now eligible for free flight changes. This waiver applies to tickets purchased on or before May 4 and permits travelers to rebook without incurring change fees or fare differences—provided the new flight departs within two days of the original travel date, remains in the same cabin class, and involves the same cities (including New York or Philadelphia as alternates).
This marks the second such waiver in recent weeks. A previous version covered tickets bought by April 29 for travel scheduled between May 1 and May 5.
Newark Flight Chaos: What Triggered It?
The current wave of disruptions at Newark began after May 3, when United proactively canceled around 35 flights per day, citing serious operational hurdles. The root of the problem: an equipment failure at the Philadelphia TRACON, the regional air traffic control center guiding planes into and out of Newark. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was forced to temporarily ground departures to Newark, causing cascading delays and nearly 900 flight cancellations in the days that followed.
Making matters worse, staffing shortages among air traffic controllers at Newark have exacerbated the problem. Controllers are reportedly working extended hours, with some taking trauma leave due to job stress and recent system failures. The FAA has confirmed that these issues stem in part from outdated infrastructure and technology that cannot meet the demands of one of the country’s busiest air corridors.
“Our antiquated air traffic control system is affecting our workforce,” the FAA admitted in a statement to ABC News. The agency says it’s working to overhaul the region’s telecommunications setup and modernize automation systems to enhance reliability.
Safety and Staffing Concerns Persist
According to Traian Hernandez, a retired controller with 25 years of experience in Newark’s airspace, the situation has created unsafe conditions. “They had another radar failure and another communications failure last week, for about a minute and a half,” Hernandez told ABC News. “As a controller, that’s an eternity. You can’t do anything, and planes keep moving.”
The FAA, for its part, says that replacing air traffic controllers isn’t a quick fix due to the intense training required. However, it is bringing in supervisors from across the country to help stabilize operations in the interim.
What Should Travelers Do?
For those planning to travel to or from the New York City area, experts advise caution. Hernandez offered blunt advice: “Reschedule if you can. I will fly out of JFK right now… I’m avoiding Newark.”
Passengers booked through United during the affected travel window are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the waiver and consider alternative routes through JFK or LaGuardia until conditions stabilize.
Looking Ahead
With no immediate end in sight to the staffing crisis or equipment overhaul, travelers may continue to face challenges at Newark Liberty International Airport. The FAA is working on long-term solutions, but short-term relief remains limited. United’s customer-friendly waiver offers a temporary cushion—but for now, flexibility and awareness are key for passengers navigating the turbulent skies over New Jersey.
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