Alaska Airlines has been forced to ground all its flights after a significant technical failure disrupted operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The airline confirmed the issue early this morning, attributing it to a system-wide outage affecting booking, check-in, and flight operations.
What Went Wrong?
The technical glitch, described as a "critical system failure," brought the airline's operations to a standstill. Passengers reported being unable to check in online or at airports, while boarding gates displayed error messages. The airline has yet to confirm the exact cause but assured travellers that IT teams are working around the clock to resolve the issue.
Passenger Chaos
Airports across the US saw long queues and frustrated travellers as Alaska Airlines staff struggled to manage the fallout. Many passengers took to social media to express their frustration, with some reporting missed connections and important events.
"I was supposed to fly to Seattle for a business meeting, but now I'm stuck here with no idea when I'll get a flight," said one stranded passenger at Los Angeles International Airport.
What’s Next?
Alaska Airlines has advised passengers to check their website for updates and offered waivers for rebooking. However, with no estimated time for a full system restore, the disruption could extend into the weekend.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of modern aviation to technical failures, raising questions about contingency plans in the industry.
