Alaska Airlines Grounds Entire Fleet Following Nationwide IT Outage
Seattle, July 21, 2025 – Alaska Airlines and its regional subsidiary Horizon Air were forced to ground all flights Sunday evening after a sudden IT systems failure disrupted operations nationwide.
📌 Key Facts
Around 8 p.m. PT (11 p.m. ET), Alaska Airlines detected a major IT outage impacting its flight scheduling and dispatch systems, prompting an immediate request for a system-wide ground stop with the FAA.
Within two to three hours, flight operations resumed as systems were restored, though the airline warns that residual delays and cancellations could last into Monday.
The ground stop affected over 200 aircraft, including the airline’s mainline fleet and Horizon Air jets.
✈️ Operational Impact
Hundreds of departures and arrivals were disrupted across the United States. Customers were urged to check flight statuses before heading to airports, and the airline apologized for the inconvenience. Alaska and FAA officials have not disclosed the specifics behind the outage.
🛡️ Outage Context & Security Concerns
This marks the airline’s second fleet-wide grounding in the past year. In April 2024, flights were halted due to weight-and-balance software issues; earlier in January 2024, a panel detached mid-flight from Flight 1282, forcing groundings of Boeing 737 MAX 9s.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity threats loom large in aviation: recent IT incidents have impacted Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, and Qantas. Microsoft warned of “active attacks” on its server software used by multiple carriers—but there's currently no confirmed link to Alaska's outage.
💬 Alaska’s Response
A spokesperson from Alaska Airlines stated:
“We requested a temporary, system-wide ground stop until the issue is resolved. As we reposition our aircraft and crews, there will most likely be residual impacts to our flights.”
Clients are being advised to monitor their flight status, and the airline reported that operations gradually resumed after 11 p.m. PT, but full normalization may extend into Monday.
🔍 What’s Next?
The FAA and Alaska Airlines are investigating the root cause. Essential questions remain:
Was this purely a systems glitch, or tied to external malware or cyberattack?
Can Alaska implement safeguards to prevent further tech vulnerabilities?
Given the airline's increasing dependence on digital infrastructure, the incident highlights the critical need for robust IT resilience in air travel.
✅ Why This Matters
Alaska Airlines—the fifth-largest U.S. carrier by passenger volume—serves over 300 aircraft and 100+ destinations across North America. Any significant IT outage poses serious disruptions for travelers, the supply chain, and airport logistics—not to mention dents in public trust.
🔔 Traveler Tips
Check flight status directly on the airline's website or app.
Expect potential delays or rebooking carried into Monday’s schedule.
Retain receipts and documentation in case of hotel overnights or compensation.
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