FAA Alaska Airlines Ground Stop: On July 20, 2025, Alaska Airlines faced a major disruption when a system-wide IT outage forced the airline to request a nationwide ground stop for all its mainline and Horizon Air flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented the stop, halting operations for about three hours. This wasn’t the first time Alaska Airlines dealt with such an issue—last year, a similar problem hit their weight and balance system. Let’s dive into what happened, why it matters, and what it means for travelers and the airline industry.
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The Ground Stop: A Sudden Halt
It all started around 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, July 20, 2025, when Alaska Airlines reported an IT outage affecting its operations. The airline quickly asked the FAA to ground all its mainline flights—over 200 Boeing 737 aircraft—and later extended the request to include Horizon Air, its regional subsidiary with 45 planes. The ground stop lasted until 11 p.m. Pacific Time, stranding passengers at airports like Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Social media buzzed with frustration, with travelers reporting delays, unscheduled landings, and hours stuck on tarmacs. One passenger vented, “We’ve been sitting here for over an hour, smelling gasoline. This is not okay.” The sudden halt disrupted travel plans across the country, raising questions about the reliability of airline systems.
What Caused the IT Outage?
While Alaska Airlines hasn’t shared specific details about the IT issue, early reports suggest it may have been linked to a software glitch, possibly related to the system that calculates weight and balance for flights. This critical system ensures planes are loaded safely for takeoff, so any malfunction demands immediate action. In April 2024, Alaska faced a similar issue when an upgrade to this system failed, grounding flights for an hour. The recurrence of such problems points to potential vulnerabilities in the airline’s tech infrastructure. With the aviation sector increasingly targeted by hacking groups like “Scattered Spider,” as noted by tech companies Google and Palo Alto Networks, cybersecurity concerns are also on the table. Alaska didn’t confirm a hack, but the timing of the outage, just weeks after a reported cyberattack on Hawaiian Airlines (owned by Alaska Air Group), adds to the speculation.
Impact on Passengers and Operations
The ground stop caused widespread chaos. At Portland International Airport, passengers were left scrambling—some rented cars, while others were told to keep receipts for potential reimbursements. One traveler, Jaclyn Martin, shared with KOIN 6 News, “My confidence is a bit shaken. I don’t fly a lot, so this is unsettling.” Alaska Airlines warned of “residual impacts” like delays and cancellations as they repositioned aircraft and crews. By Monday morning, operations resumed, but the ripple effects lingered. Travelers were urged to check flight statuses on alaskaair.com or the Alaska App to avoid surprises at the airport. The incident highlighted how a single tech failure can disrupt thousands of lives, from vacationers to business travelers.
Alaska Airlines’ Response and Apology
Alaska Airlines acted swiftly, prioritizing safety by requesting the ground stop out of “an abundance of caution.” In a statement, they apologized: “We’re working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and apologize for the inconvenience.” The airline’s transparency about the outage and their efforts to get flights moving again helped ease some passenger frustration, but not all. Social media posts showed mixed sentiments—some appreciated the updates, while others demanded better reliability. The airline’s focus on safety was clear, but the lack of clarity about the outage’s cause left room for improvement in communication.
What This Means for the Airline Industry
This incident underscores a broader issue: the airline industry’s reliance on complex IT systems. When these systems fail, the fallout is massive, affecting not just one airline but the entire travel ecosystem. Alaska’s fleet, primarily Boeing 737s, has faced scrutiny before, notably after a January 2024 incident where a door plug blew out mid-flight. Combined with this IT outage, it raises questions about operational resilience. As airlines invest in digital upgrades, they must also bolster cybersecurity and system redundancy to prevent future groundings. For passengers, it’s a reminder to plan for the unexpected—checking flight statuses and keeping flexible travel plans can make all the difference.
In the end, Alaska Airlines’ quick response got planes back in the air, but the incident left travelers rattled and the industry on notice. As we move deeper into a tech-driven world, airlines need to stay one step ahead to keep us flying smoothly.
Sources: Reuters, The New York Times, KOIN 6 News, Daily Mail Online