Understanding the IT Outage at Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines recently faced a significant disruption when an unexpected failure of critical hardware caused an IT outage that led to its entire fleet being temporarily grounded. This event, which occurred on Sunday, had far-reaching consequences, affecting thousands of passengers and causing delays and cancellations that continued into Monday.
The airline announced a ground stop for its aircraft, including those operated under its Horizon Air brand, around 8 p.m. Pacific Time. The issue was resolved after approximately three hours, but the impact on operations lingered. Passengers were warned that flights were still being delayed or canceled as the airline worked to restore normal service.
Alaska Airlines initially informed passengers about the IT issue through its social media channels, providing updates throughout the night. According to the airline’s newsroom account on X, “At approximately 8 p.m. Pacific on July 20, we experienced an IT outage that resulted in a temporary, system-wide ground stop for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights. As of 11 p.m. Pacific, the ground stop has been lifted, and our operations have resumed.” However, the company cautioned that it would take time to return to normal operations.
This incident marks a challenging moment for the airline, especially considering its recent history. Just over a year and a half ago, Alaska Airlines was forced to ground its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX-9 aircraft following a dramatic window blowout mid-flight. Despite this, the airline has been recognized internationally as one of the safest in the world.
Alaska Airlines emphasized that no passengers were ever at risk during the recent IT outage. The airline provided a detailed statement explaining the situation: “We’re working to get our operations back on track today at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air after a significant IT outage Sunday night resulted in a system-wide ground stop of flights, which was lifted at 11 p.m. Pacific. A critical piece of multi-redundant hardware at our data centers, manufactured by a third-party, experienced an unexpected failure. When that happened, it impacted several of our key systems that enable us to run various operations, necessitating the implementation of a ground stop to keep aircraft in position. The safety of our flights was never compromised.”
The airline also shared that since Sunday evening, more than 150 flight cancellations have occurred, with 64 cancellations reported on Monday. Additional disruptions are expected as the airline works to reposition aircraft and crews across its network. It is important to note that the IT outage is not related to any other current events and is not connected to the recent cybersecurity incident at Hawaiian Airlines.
What Passengers Should Know
Passengers are advised to regularly check Alaska Airlines’ social media accounts for the most up-to-date information regarding their flights. They are also encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as severe delays or cancellations may still occur.
Alaska Airlines is currently working with its vendor to replace the faulty hardware at the data center. The airline expressed gratitude for the patience of affected passengers and reiterated its commitment to getting them to their destinations as quickly as possible.
Looking Ahead
As the airline continues to resolve the issues caused by the IT outage, it remains focused on restoring normal operations and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its passengers. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing large-scale airline operations and the importance of robust IT infrastructure.
For those planning travel, staying informed and flexible is essential. By keeping an eye on official communications from Alaska Airlines, passengers can better navigate any potential disruptions and make informed decisions about their travel plans.
