Alaska Airlines Restores Flights Nationwide After IT Outage
Alaska Airlines has resumed its flight operations following a significant IT outage that affected thousands of passengers on Thursday. The disruption began at approximately 3:30 p.m., forcing the airline to implement a ground stop to manage aircraft positioning and crew deployments.
Flight Disruptions and Cancellations
During the outage, Alaska Airlines canceled over 360 flights across its network, impacting both Alaska and Horizon Air services. The ground halt was announced publicly at 4:20 p.m. on Thursday and was lifted by 11:30 p.m. that same evening.
Flight Delays Across Major Airports
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: 82 delays, 17 cancellations.
- Los Angeles International Airport: 8 delays, 1 cancellation.
The airline reported that several key operational systems were affected by the data center failure. However, Alaska Airlines officials confirmed that flight safety was never at risk.
Passenger Experience and Response
Travelers reported crowded conditions at airport gates. One passenger from Austin, Texas, noted a lack of updates, while others expressed frustration over the situation. Alaska Airlines has encouraged affected passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and assured customers that a flexible travel policy is in effect. This policy allows for free flight changes or cancellations with refunds.
Historical Context
This incident represents the second significant IT issue for Alaska Airlines in recent months. In July, a similar outage grounded flights for three hours, raising concerns about the airline’s IT infrastructure.
Ongoing Operations and Reach
Customers have also experienced difficulties accessing the airline’s website and mobile app during the outage. Alaska Airlines serves approximately 40 destinations, spanning 37 states and 12 countries, reinforcing its position as a major player in the aviation sector.
Despite recent challenges, the airline continues to work towards normalizing operations following this unexpected outage. Travelers can expect ongoing communications from Alaska Airlines regarding their flight statuses and available options.
