Late Sunday evening, a major disruption unfolded as the faa alaska airlines ground stop brought all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights to a standstill. The ground stop, initiated at the airline’s request, was due to a significant IT system outage that affected flight operations nationwide.
Within the first hour of the outage, airports across the United States began experiencing ripple effects. Flights scheduled to depart were held at gates, and new check-ins were paused. The FAA confirmed that it had approved Alaska’s request to suspend all departures as the carrier worked to resolve the issue. The ground stop remained in effect for approximately three hours before normal operations were slowly resumed.
Table of Contents
Timeline of the Outage and Delays
Key Points Summary
- Alaska Airlines grounded all flights nationwide on July 20.
- The IT issue halted both Alaska and Horizon Air operations.
- Ground stop began around 8:00 PM Pacific Time.
- Operations resumed roughly 3 hours later.
- Residual delays and cancellations are expected today.
| Time (PT) | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00 PM | Ground stop requested due to IT failure |
| 8:15 PM | Flights begin holding at departure gates |
| 9:30 PM | Alaska technical teams work to restore systems |
| 11:00 PM | Ground stop lifted; flights start moving again |
Why the faa alaska airlines ground stop was necessary
A systemwide ground stop is not issued lightly. Alaska Airlines made the decision to freeze all departures to ensure the safety and coordination of operations. The IT failure reportedly impacted dispatch systems, crew scheduling tools, and internal communication platforms—essential systems for safe takeoff procedures.
Rather than risk disorderly departures or incorrect routing, Alaska followed safety protocols and worked closely with the FAA to pause all movements until the systems were back online. Ground stops like this, especially ones impacting hundreds of flights, can have a domino effect on schedules that lasts well into the following day.
Passenger frustrations and travel impact
At airports in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and beyond, passengers expressed confusion and growing concern as flights failed to depart. Screens showed delays, and staff attempted to assist customers without full access to system tools.
Travelers reported:
- Long wait times for rebooking assistance.
- Delayed baggage tracking updates.
- Missed connections and overnight accommodations.
- Uncertainty due to lack of timely notifications.
Airports remained operational, but Alaska advised all travelers to check their flight status before heading out and to expect additional delays or cancellations today.
What’s next for Alaska Airlines
Now that the ground stop has ended, Alaska is working to reassign crews, reschedule delayed flights, and reposition aircraft that were left out of sync by the shutdown. While flights have resumed, full recovery will take time.
Steps being taken include:
- Prioritizing high-impact routes for early departures.
- Adding backup crews to fill gaps caused by scheduling resets.
- Allowing flexible changes and fee waivers for impacted customers.
The airline has not provided specifics about what caused the IT outage but has committed to a full review of internal systems to prevent similar issues in the future.
Closing thoughts
The faa alaska airlines ground stop underscores how even a few hours of system downtime can massively disrupt air travel across the country. As operations gradually return to normal, travelers are encouraged to remain patient, monitor their flight status closely, and retain receipts for any added travel expenses.
If you were affected by the delays, feel free to share your experience in the comments below. We’ll continue monitoring the situation and provide further updates if new details emerge.