Alaska Airlines Ground Stop Halts All Flights Following System-Wide IT Outage

Alaska Airlines grounded all flights Thursday morning. The sudden ground stop also impacted its regional subsidiary, Horizon Air. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a formal advisory confirming the halt. Travelers nationwide faced delays and uncertainty.

The airline requested the ground stop due to a significant technology outage. This marks the second such incident for the carrier in recent months.

System Failure Sparks Widespread Travel Disruption

Alaska Airlines announced the ground stop would last approximately one hour and ten minutes. The outage impacted all operational systems. This included the airline’s booking website and mobile application.

The airline addressed customer concerns directly on social media. They confirmed their IT team was working to resolve the issue quickly. According to Reuters, a similar IT outage caused a three-hour ground stop for the airline back in July.

Airport Chaos and Passenger Frustration Mount

The immediate effect was significant flight delays across the country. Reports from major hubs like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport highlighted the scale. Over 70 flights were delayed at that airport alone.

Passengers scheduled to fly were urged to check their flight status before heading to airports. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outage. This repeated incident raises questions about the resilience of the carrier’s technical infrastructure.

The recurring nature of these system-wide failures underscores a critical vulnerability for the airline. Passengers and industry watchers will be looking for a permanent solution to prevent future travel chaos.

Info at your fingertips

What caused the Alaska Airlines ground stop?

The ground stop was initiated due to a system-wide IT outage. The airline has not specified the exact technical cause. This disruption affected all flight operations and booking systems.

How long did the ground stop last?

The initial advisory stated a duration of one hour and ten minutes. The actual time for full system recovery may have varied. The FAA lifted the stop once the airline resolved the issue.

Were other airlines affected by this outage?

No, the outage appeared to be isolated to Alaska Airlines and its subsidiary, Horizon Air. Other carriers continued their normal operations. The problem was internal to the company’s systems.

Has this happened to Alaska Airlines before?

Yes, the airline experienced a similar IT outage in July. That event also led to a temporary, system-wide ground stop. The previous disruption lasted for approximately three hours.

What should passengers do if their flight was delayed?

Passengers should check the airline’s official website or app for the latest flight status. They may also be eligible for rebooking or compensation. Travelers are advised to review the airline’s contract of carriage for specific policies.

Trusted Sources

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Reuters