Alaska Airlines System Outage Grounds Flights, Sparks Widespread Travel Disruption

A major technology failure halted all Alaska Airlines flights. The system-wide ground stop was issued Thursday evening. It caused massive disruptions for travelers across the United States.

The airline has since restored its operations. It warns passengers to expect further delays and cancellations. Over 229 flights were canceled during the outage.

Operations Resume After Technical Glitch

Alaska Airlines lifted the ground stop late Thursday. This information was confirmed by Reuters. The airline is now working to normalize its schedule.

The disruption also affected its regional carrier, Horizon Air. The Federal Aviation Administration issued the advisory for the temporary halt. The exact cause remains undisclosed by the airline.

Customers reported issues with the website and mobile app. The airline addressed these complaints on social media. Its IT team was mobilized to resolve the errors.

Financial and Operational Fallout

The incident carries a significant financial cost. Alaska Air Group has not yet estimated the impact on its fourth-quarter results. Its shares fell nearly 3% in premarket trading following the news.

The company reported strong third-quarter revenue of $3.77 billion. This was a 23% increase from the previous year. Its earnings call was delayed to manage the operational crisis.

This is not the first such event for the carrier. A similar IT outage caused a three-hour ground stop in July. The repeated issues raise concerns about system reliability.

The restoration of service offers little comfort to stranded passengers. The Alaska Airlines outage highlights the aviation industry’s vulnerability to technical failures. Travelers should verify their flight status directly with the airline for the latest updates.

Info at your fingertips

What caused the Alaska Airlines system outage?

The airline has not disclosed the specific cause. It was described as a widespread technology failure. Internal IT teams worked to resolve the issue.

How many flights were canceled?

More than 229 Alaska Airlines flights were canceled. The ground stop affected all airports. The disruption also impacted Horizon Air operations.

Is the Alaska Airlines app working now?

The airline states its systems are restored. Both the website and app should be fully functional. Customers can now manage bookings normally.

Will affected passengers receive refunds?

Standard policy offers rebooking or refunds for canceled flights. The airline advises customers to check their official website. Specific compensation depends on individual circumstances.

Has this happened before with Alaska Airlines?

Yes, a similar IT outage occurred in July. It also led to a temporary ground stop. That disruption lasted for approximately three hours.