Alaska Airlines has issued a nationwide halt on all flights due to a significant IT malfunction, impacting operations across the United States.

In an official statement, the airline announced, “Alaska Airlines is currently dealing with an IT outage affecting our operations. As a result, we have implemented a temporary ground stop.”

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” the statement continued. “If you are scheduled to fly this evening, please verify your flight status before traveling to the airport.”

The Federal Aviation Administration released an advisory indicating that the grounding of flights is linked to a tech-related issue, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Alaska Airlines also updated its website with a notification, stating, “It appears we are facing a temporary technical issue.”

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.