Alaska Airlines has asked to stop all its main flights from taking off. Getty Images
Alaska Airlines stopped all its flights Sunday evening after facing a serious technical issue. The airline made the request to ground all aircraft due to a large IT outage. This disruption affected both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights.
Outage Hits at Night
The problem began around 8 p.m. Pacific Time. That’s when Alaska Airlines confirmed the issue was causing major trouble for its flight systems. The airline acted quickly and asked for a pause on all departures to avoid further problems.
What the Airline Said
In a public message, Alaska Airlines explained the situation. "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,” the statement read.
They added, “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."
Travel Plans Disrupted
Passengers across the country faced delays and unexpected schedule changes. Many had to stay longer at airports or reschedule their trips. The airline urged travelers to check their flight updates online or through their mobile app before heading to the airport.
What Happens Next?
Alaska Airlines said its team is working hard to fix the issue. It did not say how long the system would take to recover, but mentioned that the effects would likely last through the evening.
The airline has not yet shared exactly what caused the outage. Passengers are still advised to be patient and stay informed about their travel plans.
Safety First
Grounding flights is a big decision. But it helps keep passengers and crews safe when computer systems are not working right. Flight planning, communication, and other important operations all depend on technology. When that tech fails, flying safely becomes much harder.
Past Tech Outages
This kind of situation has happened before with other airlines. Airlines around the world have faced flight delays and cancellations due to sudden tech breakdowns. It shows how much modern air travel depends on working computer systems.
Airports Feel the Impact
Major airports on the West Coast were most affected, but ripple effects reached other cities too. Alaska Airlines is a large carrier, especially in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Even a short delay can throw off many connections.
