More Flight cancellations at Orlando Airport after Alaska Airlines Event

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Alaska Airlines‘ urgent landing due to a fuselage breach led to a week of disruptions, impacting flights and travelers, especially to Disney World.

On the 5th of January, an unexpected incident involving an Alaska Airlines aircraft led to an urgent landing at Portland International Airport. The plane experienced a critical pressure problem, resulting in the loss of a window and a section of the fuselage, leaving a significant opening in the aircraft’s body.

Following this event, on January 6th, the airline decided to temporarily suspend the operation of all its 65 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets for thorough inspections. This decision aimed at ensuring the safety of further flights involving these models. The subsequent week saw notable disruptions for both the airline and its passengers.

CNN reported that the combined impact on Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, which both extensively use the Boeing 737 Max 9, led to the cancellation of 342 flights on January 8th.

Alaska Airlines, with its fleet of 65 Boeing 737 jets, announced that the planes would remain grounded until they receive specific inspection guidelines from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing. The airline’s maintenance teams are on standby, ready to carry out the necessary checks as soon as they receive instructions.

The airline also informed its customers about ongoing cancellations expected to last at least through the first half of the week, advising passengers to keep an eye on their emails and the airline’s website for the latest information.

United Airlines, which operates around 79 Boeing 737s, also felt the impact, as evidenced by their 204 flight cancellations on the same Monday.

FlightAware highlighted that Orlando International Airport experienced 16 flight cancellations on Monday morning alone, including 11 by United Airlines and 4 by Alaska Airlines. These disruptions are likely linked to the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 jets. Travelers heading to Disney World this week, especially those flying with these airlines, should stay updated on their flight status.

Continued cancellations are expected in the following week, posing potential challenges for travelers, particularly those headed to Disney World. However, the airlines are actively working to resume normal operations, so passengers are encouraged to stay informed about any updates.

« Back to Page

• Alaska Airlines Celebrates Diversity in Aviation: Mohammed Hakeem Journey From Passenger to Aspiring Pilot

• Alaska Airlines launches new San Diego-Las Vegas flight routes

• FAA Imposes Grounding on All Alaska Airlines Amid Technical Glitch

• Alaska Airlines helps students in the Pacific Northwest by flying many of them to college tours

• Eclipse Enthusiasts Aboard Alaska Airlines Flight #322 Marvel at Rare Celestial Event