Alaska Airlines has resumed its operations following a major flight disruption caused by an extensive IT outage. The Seattle-based airline reported restoration of services late Thursday after a seven-hour halt in its operations. However, Friday’s schedule was already impacted by numerous flight cancellations.
Details of the IT Outage
On Thursday, Alaska Airlines requested a nationwide ground stop at approximately 7:21 p.m. EDT due to the technology failure. This significant disruption affected both the mainline flights and those of its regional subsidiary, Horizon Air. Notably, Hawaiian Airlines, which is part of the same parent company, experienced no interruptions.
- Ground stop initiated: 7:21 p.m. EDT
- Duration of disruption: 7 hours
- Total flight cancellations: 229
- Percentage of departures canceled at SEA: over 10%
Passengers at major West Coast hubs like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego faced significant disruptions. Alaska Airlines had to deal with hundreds of additional delays on top of flight cancellations.
Friday’s Flight Cancellations
Despite resuming service around 2:30 a.m. EDT, Friday proved challenging. By 7:30 a.m. EDT, Alaska Airlines proactively canceled 115 flights, equating to roughly 14% of its network. The airline has acknowledged the likelihood of further disruptions as it continues to reposition aircraft following the outage.
Alaska Airlines expressed gratitude for the understanding of affected travelers, emphasizing their efforts to minimize travel disruptions. They urged passengers to verify their flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Travel Waivers and Passenger Rights
To mitigate the inconvenience faced by travelers, Alaska Airlines issued a flexible travel waiver. This waiver allows passengers with flights initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday the option to rebook for any day between Thursday and Monday.
Under U.S. Department of Transportation policies, passengers whose flights are canceled or significantly delayed are entitled to a refund if they choose not to travel. Alaska Airlines usually ensures passenger accommodations during major disruptions like IT outages.
Impact on Earnings Call
Following the disruption, Alaska Air Group postponed its third-quarter earnings call, which was set for Friday. The airline’s management will likely address the impact of the IT failure during the rescheduled meeting.
For passengers affected by flight cancellations or delays, it is advisable to stay informed and take advantage of any travel waivers offered by the airline.
