Monday, August 26, 2024 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is currently facing significant disruptions due to widespread internet and web system outages. Passengers are being advised by local transportation authorities to verify their flight status with their respective airlines before arriving at the airport. Data from FlightAware shows that more than 69 flights have been delayed, and six flights have been canceled.
The Port of Seattle has confirmed that a large number of its systems went offline early Saturday morning, around 9:00 AM. Despite efforts to restore operations, many systems remained down four hours later, causing considerable disruption. Although the outage has led to long lines at check-in counters and operational challenges, the airport has stayed open.
While a significant number of flights have been delayed, only a few cancellations have occurred. Passengers have expressed frustration over the delays, with reports of British Airways travelers using handwritten boarding passes to board their flights. The airport has hinted that the outage might be linked to a cyber attack.
In response, the Port of Seattle has taken steps to isolate critical systems and is working tirelessly to restore full functionality for all impacted airlines. In other news, a new air route is set to link Seattle with Haikou, the capital of China’s Hainan province. Beginning on September 26, this service will offer a once-weekly round-trip flight, requiring a brief stopover at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG).
Passengers will continue their journey on the same aircraft and flight number to Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK), providing a seamless travel experience. This new route marks a significant expansion of air connectivity between the United States and China. Schedule as below: Serial No.
Flight Number From To Departure Time Arrival Time 1 HU445 Haikou Chongqing 07:00 09:10 2 HU445 Chongqing Seattle 11:20 09:00 3 HU446 Seattle Chongqing 11:00 16:00 + 1 day 4 HU446 Chongqing Haikou 18:30 20:45 Hainan Airlines is set to launch a new flight route connecting Haikou, the capital of China’s Hainan province, with Seattle. The total flight time for the Haikou to Seattle journey is anticipated to be approximately 17 hours. In contrast, the return flight from Seattle to Haikou will take around 18 hours and 45 minutes.
This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time Hainan Airlines operates a direct route to the U.S. from Haikou, expected to boost trade and strengthen ties across the Pacific.
Hainan Airlines has been actively expanding its international network, with the province of Hainan currently operating 46 international routes. By the end of 2024, this number is projected to increase to 62, reflecting the airline’s strategy to broaden its global footprint. In addition to this new service from Haikou, Hainan Airlines already offers direct flights from Seattle to Chongqing and provides nonstop connections to Beijing, China’s capital.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport serves as a key hub for various Asian destinations, with several airlines offering direct flights: These connections highlight Seattle’s role as a vital gateway for travelers and businesses between North America and Asia. The addition of Hainan Airlines’ new route will further enhance Seattle’s position in international air travel, providing more options for passengers and facilitating economic exchanges between the regions..
