Alaska Airlines has resumed flight operations after a widespread IT outage forced the temporary grounding of all its mainline and Horizon Air flights across the United States on Sunday evening.
The airline experienced a system-wide disruption starting around 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, July 20, which affected flight planning and dispatch operations.
The issue led the carrier to initiate a ground stop, effectively halting all takeoffs to ensure safety and compliance.
By approximately 11:00 p.m. Pacific, Alaska Airlines announced that the issue had been resolved and that flight operations were gradually resuming.
“We sincerely apologize to our guests for the inconvenience this caused,” the airline said in a statement released shortly after operations resumed.
“Our teams worked quickly to restore systems and get flights back in the air as safely and efficiently as possible.”
Nationwide Disruption
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the ground stop was issued at the airline’s request due to the internal system failure.
Passengers across several airports, particularly in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, reported flight delays and cancellations, with terminal announcements advising travelers of the outage.
Social media was quickly flooded with complaints and photos of crowded terminals as frustrated travelers sought updates.
Some reported waiting for hours without clear information from staff, a result of the IT disruption’s impact on communication systems.
Residual Delays Expected
Though operations have resumed, Alaska Airlines has warned of lingering effects, including residual delays and a possible ripple effect on Monday schedules.
“We encourage guests traveling on Monday to check their flight status on our app or website before heading to the airport,” the airline advised.
Flight tracking data early Monday showed dozens of delayed and some canceled flights as the airline worked to reposition aircraft and crew.
Ongoing Investigation
The specific cause of the outage has not yet been disclosed, but Alaska Airlines has confirmed it was not related to a cybersecurity breach. An internal investigation is underway, and the airline has pledged to review and reinforce its IT systems to prevent future disruptions.
This incident is the latest in a series of tech-related airline disruptions that have affected U.S. carriers in recent years, raising broader industry concerns about digital infrastructure reliability in aviation.
What Travelers Should Do
Passengers affected by the outage are urged to:
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Check flight status before leaving for the airport
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Rebook via the airline’s app or website
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Contact Alaska Airlines customer service for compensation or travel vouchers if eligible
Alaska Airlines serves over 120 destinations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica, and is known for its strong operational performance.
However, Sunday night’s event is a stark reminder that even the most reliable carriers are not immune to technical breakdowns.
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