Alaska Airlines Ground Stop Today: What You Need to Know

On July 21, 2025, Alaska Airlines issued a system-wide ground stop, affecting all flights operated by both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. This abrupt halt stemmed from an IT outage that began around 8 p.m. PT (03:00 GMT), prompting requests to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to suspend all departures. Though the ground stop was lifted roughly three hours later (around 11 p.m. PT), the ripple effects—delays, cancellations, and repositioning issues—remain ongoing.

Timeline of Today’s Ground Stop

The event unfolded swiftly:

1. 8 p.m. PT (03:00 GMT) – Alaska Airlines’ systems began failing, triggering a system-wide ground stop for all departures.

2. 8–11 p.m. PT – Flights remained halted as the IT team scrambled to resolve the outage.

3. 11 p.m. PT – FAA lifted the ground stop; operations resumed with caution due to aircraft and crew displacements.

4. Late Sunday to Monday morning – Travelers advised to track flight status and expect lingering disruptions.

What Is a Ground Stop?

A ground stop is an air-traffic control measure that halts the departure of incoming flights to a specific airport or carrier. It differs from an in-air ground delay in that it prevents planes from taking off in the first place. The goal is to forestall further complications when an airline's system—be it technical infrastructure, weather, or runway status—is compromised.

Immediate Impact on Passengers

Here’s a snapshot of the disruption in table form:

Why This Matters

1. Second Major IT Failure in a Year

Alaska Airlines previously grounded its entire fleet in April 2024 due to errors in its weight and balance calculation system. Today's outage marks a troubling repeat, signaling systemic vulnerabilities.

2. Concerns Over Cybersecurity

This incident falls amid a wave of cyber threats targeting airlines—notably Hawaiian, WestJet, and Qantas. U.S. cybersecurity firms identified “Scattered Spider,” a hacking group showing interest in aviation infrastructure. Meanwhile, Microsoft warned of active attacks on its server software used by companies and government agencies.

3. Disrupted Travel Plans

Trip disruptions like these impact passengers’ time, budgets, and stress levels. Delays cascade through the timetable, causing missed connections and crew shortages.

Traveler’s Checklist: What You Should Do

If you’re flying with Alaska Airlines in the near term, here’s a quick-action guide:

• Check your flight status before heading to the airport.

• Sign up for alerts via airline app, email, or SMS.

• Contact customer support immediately if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

• Prepare for residual delays—even after flights resume, expect some turbulence in scheduling.

Industry-Wide Implications

• Regulatory Focus: The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to scrutinize Alaska Airlines’ reliance on IT, given past incidents.

• Reputational Risk: Recurring problems erode passenger trust. Alaska Airlines previously settled a lawsuit related to a door panel blowing off in January 2024—another blow to its safety image.

• Systemic Safeguards: Airlines must invest in redundant systems, cybersecurity defenses, and robust disaster recovery planning.

The Path Forward

Alaska Airlines has not yet disclosed the root cause of the outage. Key steps going forward will likely include:

• Forensic IT audits to identify software or infrastructure failures.

• Cybersecurity assessments for potential malicious exploits.

• Strengthening backup systems so one outage doesn’t ground an entire fleet.

• Customer remedies, like rebooking policies, reimbursements, and travel vouchers—crucial for retaining loyalty.

Conclusion

The Alaska Airlines ground stop on July 21, 2025, was a stark reminder of how dependent modern aviation has become on digital infrastructure. A three-hour IT outage brought one of America’s major airlines to a standstill, affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers nationwide. Though operations resumed later that night, the aftershocks—delays, cancellations, and frustrated travelers—will continue to ripple for days.

This incident not only disrupted summer travel but also raised serious concerns about the resilience of airline IT systems and the growing risk of cybersecurity threats. For Alaska Airlines, this marks yet another operational failure in a year already filled with technical scrutiny, further straining its reputation and accountability to customers.