Alaska Airlines has been forced to halt all its flights nationwide due to a significant IT malfunction. This unexpected disruption has left passengers across the United States facing delays and uncertainty.

In an official statement, Alaska Airlines acknowledged the technical issue, stating, “Alaska Airlines is experiencing an IT outage affecting operations. A temporary ground stop is in place.” The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to its customers.

Travelers who were scheduled to fly are advised to verify their flight status before departing for the airport. This proactive measure aims to prevent unnecessary travel and further complications for passengers amid the ongoing technical difficulties.

The Federal Aviation Administration has also reported on the situation, confirming that the grounding of flights was a result of an unresolved technology-related problem. As efforts to resolve the issue continue, Alaska Airlines is working to restore normal operations as swiftly as possible.

The flights were grounded because of an unspecified tech-related issue, according to a Federal Aviation Administration advisory.

Alaska Airlines posted an alert on its website, saying: ‘Looks like we are experiencing a temporary technical issue. 

‘We are aware of the issue and are actively looking into it.’ 

The ground stop was expected to last about an hour, according to travelers on social media, but a new FAA advisory posted at 8.51pm ET said it had been extended – with departures from Seattle exempt.

Alaska Airlines grounded all flights across the US after IT outage

The airline asked customers scheduled to fly tonight to check their flight status before going to the airport

Alaska Airlines grounded its flights in July because of a ‘significant IT outage’

An extension had also been issued at 8.01pm. 

The outage also grounded Alaska Airlines’s subsidiary Horizon Air.

Social media users shared how the ground stop was impacting their travel plans.

Alaska Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the US and travels to 120 destinations across five countries. It services more than 44 million customers per year.

One X user wrote: ‘Sitting in a full plane on the tarmac at [Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]…for the past 45minutes…’

Another posted: ‘Sittin’ in aircraft supposedly departing to [Seattle] at [Tucson] for about 45 min now.’ 

A third said: ‘On Alaska Airlines, we were about to pull away from the gate when we got the ground stop order. Doh! How long….?’ 

The frustration built as the ground stop hit the one hour mark.

An X user said: ‘Been at [Seattle airport] for about an hour waiting for a 6.02pm flight to St. Louis. As it was we wouldn’t arrive till midnight… woof…’

Alaska Airlines customers took to social media to vent

Frustrated Alaska Airlines customers shared updates from around the world

Another added: ‘Stuck in NOLA boarded, still at the gate. Pilot says at least another hour before next update.’ 

Travelers shared updates from different locations.

One user wrote from Austin: ‘Only that they’re “working on it,” which is really not update at all. We were scheduled to fly at 5.40pm CST. Approaching 2 hours on this plane.’

Later, he added: ‘Just hit the 2-hour mark sitting on board at the gate in [Austin]. Passengers have been given the option to offload, and many have grabbed their bags and moved to the boarding area. Still no update as to resolution or next steps… ‘

Another said from Seattle: ‘At the gate now waiting 20 minutes for a gate agent so we can deplane.’

International travelers echoed the discontent.

One posted: ‘Asked to deplane in Cabo. Almost an hour late to depart now.’

The ground stop was extended at 8.51pm ET

Another shared: ‘Grounded at Cancun.’ 

In July, Alaska Airlines also grounded its flights for three hours due to a ‘significant IT outage.’ 

The issue affected the travel plans of 15,600 people, the airline said. 

One X user was ensnared in both ground stops.

She said: ‘This is the second time for me to be inflight when an Alaska IT outage starts. First time, in July: diverted to [Phoenix]. Today: landed at [Seattle] and waiting on tarmac (28 min so far).’

This is a breaking news story. More to come.