Alaska Airlines Resumes Flights, Faces Increasing Friday Cancellations
Alaska Airlines recently faced significant operational disruptions due to a major IT outage. The Seattle-based carrier experienced a nationwide ground stop that lasted over seven hours.
Flight Cancellations and Delays
The interruption impacted both Alaska Airlines and its regional partner, Horizon Air. Consequently, passengers encountered substantial delays and cancellations across the airline’s network.
- 229 flights were canceled due to the outage.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was particularly affected, with over 10% of departures canceled.
- By 7:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, 115 additional flights had been canceled, affecting approximately 14% of the airline’s service.
Ground Stop Details
The ground stop was initiated at 7:21 p.m. EDT on Thursday. Alaska Airlines alerted passengers about the situation, leading to widespread chaos at various airports, especially in major West Coast hubs including:
- Seattle
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
Flights resumed around 2:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, although further disturbances were anticipated as the airline worked to reposition aircraft.
Travel Waiver and Passenger Support
In response to the disruptions, Alaska Airlines issued a travel waiver for customers. This waiver allowed passengers to adjust their travel plans without penalties for flights originally scheduled on Thursday and Friday.
Travelers affected by cancellations or lengthy delays have the right to a refund under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Alaska Airlines also affirmed a commitment to providing accommodations for significant disruptions due to technical failures.
Looking Ahead
As the airline recovers, Alaska Airlines encourages customers to verify flight statuses before arriving at the airport. The airline expressed gratitude for the patience of passengers during this challenging period.
Furthermore, Alaska Air Group postponed its planned third-quarter earnings call that was originally scheduled for Friday due to the ongoing situation.
