
Seattle, WA, July 21 - Alaska Airlines experienced a significant IT outage today, which led to a nationwide ground stop of its mainline and Horizon Air flights, causing widespread disruption across its operations in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the airline’s request to halt all departures, an action that left passengers stranded at airports from coast to coast. The outage, which began impacting systems around 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, which affected critical operations, including the airline’s ability to process bookings and manage flight schedules. This incident marked one of several recent technological challenges for the airline, highlighting the fragility of modern aviation systems and their reliance on interconnected IT infrastructure.
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The root cause of the outage was identified as a certificate issue affecting multiple systems, though Alaska Airlines explicitly stated it was not the result of a cyberattack or unauthorized activity. This technical glitch led to significant operational disruptions, particularly at the airline’s hub, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), where a temporary ground stop was enforced for all arrivals. The halt lasted approximately one hour, but residual effects lingered, causing delays and cancellations throughout the evening and into the following day. Passengers were advised to check flight statuses before heading to airports, as the airline worked to restore normal operations. The disruption also impacted online services, temporarily preventing customers from booking flights or checking in via the airline’s website or mobile app.
This was not the first IT-related issue for Alaska Airlines in recent months. In September 2024, a similar outage caused delays and a ground stop at Sea-Tac, while an April 2024 incident stemmed from a problem with the system used to calculate aircraft weight and balance, leading to a nationwide halt of departures. These recurring issues underscore the challenges airlines face in maintaining robust technological infrastructure. Additionally, Alaska Airlines’ subsidiary, Hawaiian Airlines, reported a cybersecurity incident on June 23, 2025, affecting certain IT systems, though it was unrelated to the July outage. The impact of the July 21 ground stop was significant, given Alaska Airlines’ extensive network, particularly in the western United States, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. The airline operates 238 Boeing aircraft, and the sudden grounding affected countless travelers, disrupting vacation plans, business trips, and connections to international destinations.
Recovery efforts focused on resolving the certificate issue and restoring system functionality, with IT teams working diligently to minimize further delays. By Monday morning, operations began to stabilize, but the airline warned of ongoing residual impacts. Alaska Airlines issued a statement apologizing to affected passengers and emphasized efforts to get travelers to their destinations as quickly as possible. The incident serves as a reminder of the aviation industry’s dependence on technology and the cascading effects when systems fail. As Alaska Airlines continues to navigate these challenges, it remains committed to addressing technical vulnerabilities to prevent future disruptions.