URGENT UPDATE: Alaska Airlines has grounded its entire fleet due to a significant technical system outage, impacting travelers nationwide. This decisive action, taken around 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, has led to over 200 aircraft being affected, including both Alaska and Horizon Air flights. Passengers are strongly advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
The Seattle-based airline reported, “We are experiencing issues with our IT systems. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to resolve the issues.” The company has instituted a temporary, system-wide ground stop until the problem is fully addressed. Travelers should remain alert for updates as the situation develops.
This outage comes on the heels of Alaska Airlines’ previous grounding in April 2024, which was due to malfunctions in the system that calculates aircraft weight and balance. That incident followed a harrowing event on January 5, 2024, when a door plug panel blew out mid-flight, resulting in a rapid loss of cabin pressure and an emergency landing that injured seven passengers.
With an operational fleet of 238 Boeing 737 and 87 Embraer 175 aircraft, Alaska Airlines’ decision affects thousands of travelers. Earlier this month, the airline settled a $1 billion lawsuit with Boeing out of court, adding to the urgency of addressing these operational issues.
As the company works to restore normal operations, passengers are urged to stay informed and expect potential delays. Follow Alaska Airlines on their official communication channels for the latest updates and information regarding flight statuses.
This story is developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
