Travel nightmare unfolds as major airline scraps flight after harrowing 12-hour delay

United Airlines Flight 884 from Washington Dulles to Rome’s Fiumicino was left stranded for nearly 12 hours on Oct. 2 after a chain of issues—including a cockpit malfunction, severe thunderstorms, and crew changes—before the carrier ultimately canceled it. The aircraft reportedly returned to the gate after taxiing to add fuel for a longer weather-related plan, then underwent additional mechanical inspections. The airline said the cancellation came due to crew time limits, and it rebooked passengers on an extra Saturday evening flight. Even after that, technical problems forced two deplanements. The rebooked departure neared 7 p.m., leaving travelers over 25 hours behind schedule.