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What caused the recent Alaska Airlines IT outage?
The recent outage was caused by persistent vulnerabilities in Alaska Airlines' IT infrastructure. Despite previous efforts to improve their systems, hardware failures and system glitches led to a ground stop and widespread cancellations. External experts have been brought in to diagnose and strengthen the airline's technology systems.
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How did the outage affect passengers and flights?
The outage caused over 400 flights to be canceled or delayed, affecting thousands of travelers. Passengers faced long delays, missed connections, and disrupted travel plans. The airline had to implement emergency protocols to manage the crisis and communicate with affected customers.
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What steps is Alaska Airlines taking to prevent future outages?
Alaska Airlines is actively working to improve its IT resilience by bringing in external experts to overhaul its infrastructure. They are investing in more robust hardware, better backup systems, and enhanced cybersecurity measures to prevent similar outages from happening again.
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How common are airline IT failures and what can travelers do?
IT failures are a known risk in the airline industry, often caused by hardware issues, cyberattacks, or system overloads. Travelers should stay informed about their airline’s status, arrive early for flights, and have contingency plans in case of delays or cancellations.
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Why was Hawaiian Airlines unaffected by the outage?
Hawaiian Airlines, owned by the same parent company as Alaska Airlines, was unaffected because its systems are separate. This highlights that the outage was specific to Alaska Airlines' infrastructure and not a systemic issue across all airlines within the group.
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Is this the first time Alaska Airlines has had IT problems?
No, Alaska Airlines has experienced IT disruptions before, including a three-hour outage in July caused by hardware failure. Despite ongoing efforts to improve, their systems remain vulnerable to outages, which continue to impact travelers.