Seattle, WA – July 21, 2025 – Alaska Airlines has requested a nationwide ground stop for all its flights, including those operated by its regional carrier Horizon Air, due to a significant IT outage impacting its operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the ground stop was instituted on Sunday evening, starting at approximately 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time, as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety and operational stability.
The airline issued a statement acknowledging the disruption: “At approximately 8 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, Alaska Airlines experienced an IT outage that’s impacting our operations. We requested a temporary, system-wide ground stop for Alaska and Horizon Air flights until the issue is resolved. We apologize to our guests for this inconvenience. There will be residual impacts to our operation throughout the evening. If you are traveling tonight, please check the status of your flight before leaving for the airport.”
The IT outage affected multiple systems, including the airline’s website and mobile app, leading to delays and challenges for passengers attempting to check in or access flight information. Social media posts on X reflected customer frustration, with travelers reporting long lines at airports like Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) and non-functioning ticketing kiosks. While the specific cause of the outage has not been disclosed, Alaska Airlines stated that its IT teams are working diligently to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
This incident follows a series of technical challenges for Alaska Airlines in 2024. In April, the airline grounded its fleet for about an hour due to an issue with a system upgrade affecting its weight and balance calculations. In September, another IT-related disruption caused a 40-minute ground stop at SeaTac, impacting flight operations and online booking systems. These recurring issues have drawn attention to the airline’s technological infrastructure, especially in light of a high-profile incident earlier this year involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9, where a door plug component failure led to the grounding of Alaska’s MAX 9 fleet.
The FAA lifted the ground stop once the airline began mitigating the issue, but Alaska Airlines warned of residual delays throughout the evening. Passengers are encouraged to monitor their flight status on alaskaair.com or the Alaska Airlines mobile app before heading to the airport. The airline has not provided a timeline for full system recovery but emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue swiftly.
This disruption comes at a challenging time for Alaska Airlines, as it navigates operational hurdles and public scrutiny following safety and technical incidents. The airline’s management has reiterated its focus on safety and customer satisfaction, urging affected passengers to reach out for assistance through official channels.
For the latest updates, travelers are advised to visit alaskaair.com or follow Alaska Airlines’ official social media accounts for real-time information.
