SEATTLE — A weekend technology outage that forced Alaska Airlines to halt every departure for roughly three hours is still rippling across the carrier’s network, leaving Seattle and other hubs grappling with residual cancellations and rebookings.
What Went Wrong at Alaska Airlines’ Data Centers
The airline says an external piece of “multi-redundant” hardware inside its data centers failed around 8 p.m. Pacific Sunday. The malfunction knocked out several operational platforms that airlines rely on to release flight plans and dispatch crews. By 11 p.m., technicians had found a workaround and lifted the system-wide ground stop that applied to Alaska Airlines and regional sister brand Horizon Air. In a statement shared on social media, the company stressed that hacking was not involved and that the glitch was unrelated to other high-profile technology incidents in the wider aviation sector this summer.
Scope of the Disruption
- Three-hour ground stop, 8 p.m.–11 p.m. Pacific
- More than 150 flights were canceled between Sunday evening and Monday morning
- Sixty-four of Monday’s flights were scrubbed by sunrise, according to FlightAware
Biggest concentration of cancellations was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but the impacts reached airports nationwide
Because aircraft and crews wound up out of position overnight, Alaska warned travelers that “lingering effects” could persist through the remainder of Monday.
Advice for Travelers Holding Alaska Airlines Tickets
1. Check Flight Status Repeatedly
Even if your itinerary currently shows “on time,” revisit the status often—especially within 24 hours of departure—as gate swaps and rolling delays remain possible while the airline completes its recovery.
2. Use Self-Service Tools First
The Alaska Airlines mobile app and website allow travelers to rebook or request refunds without waiting on phone lines that could be congested for days.
3. Know Your Compensation Options
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund passengers for canceled flights they choose not to take. Vouchers, frequent-flier miles, or alternative routings are voluntary; you are entitled to your money back if the airline cancels or significantly delays your flight.
4. Consider Airport Lounges or Day Rooms
With rebookings pushing some departures into late Monday or Tuesday, an hourly hotel or lounge pass can be a worthwhile splurge for travelers facing extended layovers.
5. Track Checked Bags
When flight disruptions cause aircraft to scatter, luggage can travel on separate routes. Use Alaska’s bag-tracking feature inside the carrier’s app to minimize surprises at baggage claim.
How Alaska Airlines Is Responding
A spokesperson said the carrier is working with its vendor to replace the defective hardware outright while technicians monitor temporary fixes already in place. “We appreciate the patience of our guests whose travel plans have been disrupted. We’re working to get them to their destinations as quickly as we can,” the airline said in a statement.
Previous Technology Hiccups for the Seattle Carrier
The fast-growing airline is no stranger to technology scares. In September, it briefly grounded flights out of Seattle due to another unspecified IT issue. Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines' subsidiary fended off a cybersecurity incident. Though Sunday’s outage was unrelated, the string of events underscores how critical complex software and hardware have become to even routine flying.
Broader Safety Context
The glitch arrived less than four months after the National Transportation Safety Board commended the cockpit crew of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 for their composure when a door-plug panel blew out of a 737-9 on Jan. 5, 2024. While Sunday’s failure did not pose safety risks in flight—because planes never left the ground—analysts say the airline’s swift decision to hold departures avoided potential in-air complications tied to faulty dispatch data.
What’s Next for Alaska Airlines Travelers
Passengers holding tickets through Monday night should anticipate scattered cancellations—particularly on routes touching Seattle, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—until crews and aircraft return to regular rotation. The airline recommends arriving at airports earlier than usual and signing up for text notifications that push gate changes and boarding calls directly to smartphones.
Alaska Airlines restored operations in less than half a work shift, but the cascade of schedule changes means savvy travelers should still pack patience—and a backup plan—if flying the carrier over the next 24 hours. Frequent app checks, early airport arrivals, and proactive rebooking remain the best strategies for minimizing disruptions.
