Why Alaska Airlines Grounded Its Mainline Flights: What You Need to Know

Alaska Airlines Faces IT Outage, Temporarily Grounds Flights

Alaska Airlines recently encountered a significant disruption when it requested a temporary grounding of its mainline flights due to an IT outage that affected its operations. This event, which occurred on Sunday, July 20, 2025, led to widespread confusion and inconvenience for passengers.

In an advisory issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it was announced that the airline had asked to ground all of its aircraft, including those operated by its subsidiary, Horizon Air, until the issue was resolved. The Seattle-based airline took to its X account to inform travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. The message read:

"(We) experiencing an IT outage affecting operations. A temporary ground stop is in place. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you're scheduled to fly tonight, please check your flight status before heading to the airport."

The FAA's website also provided a status page listing all impacted destinations, offering real-time updates to passengers. In a subsequent post, Alaska Airlines confirmed that the ground stop was lifted three hours after it was implemented.

Impact on Passengers and Airports

Pictures circulating online showed many passengers crowding airports as Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its fleet. The company confirmed that it experienced an "IT outage" around 8:00 p.m. (PT) in the evening, leading to a "temporary, system-wide ground stop" for its mainline and Horizon Air flights. According to the airline, the issue was resolved by 11:00 p.m. (PT), and operations resumed. However, the message continued:

"As we reposition our aircraft and crews, there will most likely be residual impacts to our flights. It will take some time to get our overall operations back to normal."

Despite the resolution, the airline did not provide specific details about the nature of the IT problem. It urged travelers to continue checking their flight status for updates.

Previous Incidents and Ongoing Challenges

This incident marks the second time in just over a year that Alaska Airlines has grounded its fleet. In April 2024, a complication during an upgrade of its weight and balance calculation system disrupted flights. Earlier, in January, a door plug section on a flight between Portland, Oregon, and Ontario, California, blew out shortly after takeoff, causing rapid decompression. All 171 passengers and six crew members survived the incident.

The aircraft involved was a newly delivered Boeing 737 Max 9, prompting Alaska Airlines to ground its 737 MAX 9 fleet. The FAA subsequently ordered an immediate grounding of 171 similar aircraft. Upon inspection, United Airlines found "installation issues" with door plugs on some planes, while Alaska Airlines reported finding "loose hardware."

According to CNBC TV, investigators last month stated that Boeing's "failure to provide adequate training to its manufacturing staff was a driving factor" in the blowout on the near-fatal flight.

Additional Challenges for the Airline Group

Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines' affiliate, Hawaiian Airlines (owned by the Alaska Air Group), faced a different challenge. According to reports, the airline was targeted by a hack that affected some of its IT systems. This incident further highlights the growing concerns around cybersecurity within the aviation industry.

As Alaska Airlines continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on restoring normal operations and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its passengers. The airline’s ability to quickly resolve the recent IT outage demonstrates its commitment to addressing operational disruptions, albeit with ongoing efforts required to return to full functionality.