News Summary

Alaska Airlines is experiencing significant operational disruptions following an IT outage that prompted the FAA to ground all flights, including those from Horizon Air. The outage caused over 360 flight cancellations across multiple airports, particularly affecting California hubs. Passengers faced overcrowding and lack of communication regarding their flight statuses. This incident marks the second major IT disruption for the airline in a few months, raising concerns about operational reliability. Alaska Airlines has implemented a flexible travel policy for affected customers as they work to resolve the situation.

Seattle

Alaska Airlines is facing significant operational disruptions following an IT outage that began at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The airline requested the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground all flights, including those operated by its subsidiary Horizon Air, leading to extensive travel chaos.

The ground stop lasted until approximately 11:30 p.m. Thursday night, resulting in over 360 flights being canceled nationwide by Friday morning. Multiple airports, particularly in California, reported cancellations and delays, severely impacting travelers in major hubs such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

In addition to these primary airports, numerous other California locations were affected, including Burbank, Long Beach, Redding, Monterey, Ontario, Palm Springs, San Jose, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Oakland, Santa Barbara, and Santa Ana. As of Friday morning at 9 a.m., Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) reported 9 flights canceled and 4 delayed.

Travelers were advised to check their flight status prior to arriving at the airport, and Alaska Airlines acknowledged that additional flight disruptions were expected as they worked to reposition aircraft and crews throughout their network.

Passenger Experience

The outage caused substantial flight delays and cancellations, particularly at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Thursday evening. Passengers reported overcrowding at gates and a complete lack of updates regarding their flight statuses during the IT outage.

Frequency of Disruptions

This outage is the second significant disruption for Alaska Airlines in a few months. A prior IT outage occurred in July, highlighting ongoing technical issues within the airline’s operational framework. A flexible travel policy has been implemented, allowing customers to change or cancel their flights without incurring any fees.

Customer Support and Information

Despite the challenges faced, it is noted that Hawaiian Airlines, acquired by the Alaska Air Group last year, was not affected by this outage. Alaska Airlines serves a comprehensive network, operating flights to 40 destinations worldwide, including 37 states and 12 countries.

Travelers are encouraged to stay informed through social media announcements and the airline’s official website for the latest updates regarding their flights and operations.

Background Context

Alaska Airlines is the fifth-largest domestic airline by passenger revenue according to U.S. Bureau of Transportation statistics. The airline operates out of six hubs, three of which are located in California, underscoring its significant presence in the state’s aviation landscape. The recent IT outage exemplifies the potential vulnerabilities that can arise in modern airline operations, significantly impacting thousands of passengers and raising concerns over flight reliability.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times: Alaska Airlines Grounds Flights
• Wikipedia: Alaska Airlines
• ABC News: Alaska Airlines Grounds Flights Nationwide
• Google Search: Alaska Airlines IT Outage
• NBC Los Angeles: Alaska Airlines Flights Grounded
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Alaska Airlines
• WCVB: Alaska Airlines IT Outage Ground Stop
• Google News: Alaska Airlines Flight Disruptions

Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD

The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.