Travelers in US, Italy, Colombia, UK and more Witness over a Dozen Flight Cancellations as United Airlines Abandons Passengers at Newark Liberty, Leonardo da Vinci, El Dorado, London Heathrow Airport, New Update

Published on October 22, 2025

Travelers in the US, Italy, Colombia, UK, Hong Kong, Portugal and Taiwan are currently facing significant disruptions, which started on 21st October and continuing on 22nd October, 2025, with over a dozen flight cancellations by United Airlines. Passengers are stranded at major airports like Newark Liberty, Leonardo da Vinci, El Dorado, London Heathrow Airport and many more. The cancellations have left travelers frustrated and uncertain, affecting both international and domestic routes. As the airline struggles with operational issues, the number of delayed flights continues to grow, adding to the confusion. According to the FlightAware data, there’s a total of 182 delays with 14 cancellations reported. These disruptions are not only causing inconvenience for passengers but may also have a considerable impact on local tourism in the affected countries. With flights grounded, many travelers are left searching for alternatives. In the meantime, passengers are advised to stay updated through channels of United Airlines for the latest information. Despite the inconvenience, there are steps passengers can take to minimize the disruption and continue their journeys.

A Breakdown of the Affected Flights

Among the cancelled flights are high-profile long-haul routes from United Airlines‘ network. Flights such as UAL862 from Hong Kong International (HKG) to San Francisco (KSFO), UAL883 from London Heathrow (LHR) to Newark Liberty (KEWR) and UAL65 from Lisbon (LIS) to Newark Liberty (KEWR) have all been impacted. Other key cancellations include UAL509 from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Newark Liberty (KEWR) and UAL3924 from San Francisco (KSFO) to Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA). These cancellations have disrupted travel plans for hundreds of passengers, with many already en route to their destinations when news of the cancellations broke.

The affected routes span several continents, affecting both domestic and international passengers. These cancellations have led to severe disruptions, especially for travelers on international routes, including:

• Hong Kong to San Francisco
• London to Newark
• Lisbon to Newark
• Rome to Newark
• Bogotá to Newark
• San Francisco to Seattle
• Washington D.C. to Rome
• Portland to Chicago
• Pinal Airpark to Fort Worth Meacham International
• Lake City Gateway to Smith Reynolds

These cancellations by United Airlines represent a critical failure in long-haul and domestic operations, particularly for travelers transiting through major locations like Hong Kong, London, Newark, Lisbon, Rome, Bogota, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., Portland, Fort Worth, Lake City, Houston and Taipei.

Delays

In addition to cancellations, over 182 flights have experienced delays, compounding the frustration for travelers. These delays further strain the already busy travel corridors, as passengers wait in limbo for rescheduled flights. The delays, which make up about 6% of United’s total flights, span various airports, adding to the inconvenience and distress faced by passengers trying to make their way home or to their final destinations.

Affected Airports

The cancellations have hit several airports across US, Italy, Colombia, UK, Hong Kong, Portugal and Taiwan, some of the key airports include:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) – United’s primary hub on the East Coast, where multiple cancellations and delays have left travelers stranded with limited options for rebooking.
• Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO), Rome – With several flights to the US cancelled, passengers are left without a clear alternative, causing confusion and frustration.
• El Dorado International Airport (SKBO), Bogota – An important South American gateway, where connections to North American destinations have been severely disrupted.
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – As one of the busiest airports in the world, Heathrow’s operations have also been impacted by these cancellations, affecting international connections for travelers heading to and from the US.

These airports serve as crucial hubs for both business and leisure travel. Their role in connecting international destinations makes these disruptions particularly problematic for passengers.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

Local tourism in the affected countries, including the US, Italy, Colombia, UK, Hong Kong, Portugal and Taiwan, could feel the effects of these cancellations. As travelers are left stranded, hotels, transportation services and tourist attractions may experience a ripple effect. With tourists unable to make it to their planned destinations or having their travel plans significantly altered, local economies dependent on tourism will bear the brunt of the delay. For instance, the cancellation of flights at airports like Newark and Heathrow could result in reduced foot traffic to major tourist sites like the Statue of Liberty in New York or Buckingham Palace in London. Furthermore, the significant number of cancellations at airports like Rome Fiumicino and Bogota El Dorado could reduce the influx of international travelers, especially during peak seasons for tourism.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those affected by the flight cancellations, the first course of action should be to contact United Airlines directly to understand their options. Passengers are advised to use the airline’s customer service lines or online portals to secure rebooked flights or seek compensation. United Airlines, like many major carriers, often provides meals, hotel accommodations and transportation for passengers who experience long delays or cancellations.

For passengers still at the airport, ensuring rebooking or compensation options are in place is crucial to mitigating further travel disruptions. It’s recommended to stay in close contact with the airline’s staff to check on updates about rebooking and flight statuses. Some passengers may also have the option to rebook through different airlines if United offers interline agreements with other carriers.

Passengers can also look into travel insurance coverage to determine if any compensation is available for expenses incurred due to cancellations or delays. It’s always important to keep receipts and document all delays to ensure claims can be made efficiently.

In conclusion, while the flight cancellations and delays by United Airlines’ operational issues have severely impacted both passengers and local tourism, travelers can take steps to address the situation. By staying proactive and aware of their options, passengers can minimize the negative effects of these disruptions and continue their journeys with as little inconvenience as possible. The airline’s communication and assistance will be crucial in helping them navigate through the travel chaos.