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Alaska Airlines Halts Flights Nationwide After IT Outage
Thousands of passengers were stranded Wednesday evening as Alaska Airlines grounded all flights due to a severe IT outage. The airline issued an urgent advisory, stating: “If you’re scheduled to fly tonight, please check your flight status before leaving for the airport.”
The disruption impacted critical systems, including check-in, boarding, and communications, leading to widespread delays and cancellations. Frustrated travelers reported long lines at major airports, with many unable to access flight updates or rebook trips.
What Caused the Alaska Airlines IT Outage?
Alaska Airlines confirmed the grounding resulted from a “technical issue” but did not specify whether it stemmed from a cyberattack or internal failure. Industry sources suggest a faulty software update may be to blame.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was notified, and flights were temporarily halted while the airline worked to restore systems. By late evening, operations began resuming, though delays persisted.
Passenger Chaos: Stranded Travelers and Airline Response
Major hubs like Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO) saw severe disruptions. Passengers described being stuck on grounded planes for hours, while others scrambled for last-minute hotels.
Alaska Airlines apologized and offered:
– Refunds or free rebooking for affected flights
– Waived change fees for flexible travel adjustments
Broader Impact on Air Travel Reliability
This incident underscores the aviation industry’s vulnerability to IT failures. Similar outages, like Southwest Airlines’ 2022 holiday meltdown, have raised concerns about aging infrastructure.
Aviation analyst Rajesh Nair warned: “A single system failure can paralyze an airline. Robust backups and faster recovery protocols are non-negotiable.”
What Passengers Should Do Next
If you’re booked with Alaska Airlines soon:
1. Verify your flight status via the airline’s app or website.
2. Arrive early—processing delays may continue.
3. Consider rebooking if your plans are flexible.
The airline pledged a full review to prevent future outages. Affected travelers should monitor Alaska Airlines’ official channels for compensation details.
Key Takeaway
The outage highlights the fragility of digital-dependent air travel. As Alaska Airlines works to normalize operations, passengers are urged to stay informed and plan accordingly.
Follow NextMinuteNews for real-time updates on this story.
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