On April 3, 2022, a 2007 Boeing 737-800 of Alaska Airlines had quite the navigation issue during a turbulent weekend for the airline. N583AS was heading out from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Flight 839 to Kauai Island (LIH) and returned due to a maintenance issue. Simple Flying reached out to Alaska Airlines after noticing the flight on FlightRadar24.com and received this thoughtful response:

Alaska Flight 839 experienced an issue with the plane’s navigation system about an hour into the flight while flying from SEA to LIH. The pilots followed the checklist and resolved the issue. Out of an abundance of caution, the plane turned back to Seattle and safely landed at Sea-Tac. At no point was the safety of our guests or crew/teammates compromised.

Then according to a check of FlightRadar24.com, Alaska Airlines launched a spare 737-800 to LIH and restarted the flight, leading to a successful landing at LIH early in the morning.

This is similar to what happened to the author after the author's original Alaska Airlines Flight 641 on November 8, 2021, when the 737-900 had an electrical issue affecting the toilets and passenger electronics. The flight was required to divert to Los Angeles (LAX) and switch to new equipment in order to comply with FAA regulations to get back to Seattle. The author would like to thank the aircrew and support staff who rose to the day's challenges.

Another Alaska Airlines flight got diverted, supposedly due to the same issue:

As with the flight mentioned above for Alaska Airlines, these two diversions due to issues with the Boeing 737-800 navigation system arrived at a very untimely time for Alaska Airlines. At least Alaska Airlines was able to get replacement aircraft airborne to complete the flights in both cases.

An Alaska Airlines 737-900 Cutting Thru Early Morning Alaska Skies
Flying through cloud over mountains is why you need navigation systems to work.
Photo: AvgeekJoe Productions

Navigation unit problems are not unique to 737s or Alaska Airlines. Last year, an Icelandair Boeing 757-200 turned around over Greenland from a flight to Seattle from Keflavik to repair the navigation system. This is because the Lateral Navigation (LNAV) and Vertical Navigation (VNAV) navigational systems failed, and navigation equipment had to be replaced.

Many precautions are taken to ensure aviation's high safety record. One cannot simply fly a jetliner at altitude on GPS signals from of a third-party device like a cell phone or VOR navigation radios assuming they're still working and trust the autopilot.

Cancellations keep coming

A Boeing 737-890(WL) In the BLI Rain Waiting for Passengers
Alaska Airlines is suffering from mass flight cancelations this week. Photo: AvgeekJoe Protections

Nonetheless, following a weekend beset by cancellations arguably triggered partially by scheduling flights beyond crewing capability, Alaska Airlines had a tough initial weekend of April 2022. KOMO, a Seattle TV station, reported that 40 flights were canceled for Monday, April 4th and the week may continue with more cancellations. Furthermore, this is a third of Friday's 120 flight cancellations.

According to KOMO, a federal mediator will meet Tuesday, April 5, 2022 with airline management and pilots' union leadership to find a path to a new contract. This comes two years after the current contract's amendable date of April 1, 2020.

To offer some new detailed perspective the Alaska Airlines' Pilots Union also made a podcast on January 22 with Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell and two Air Line Pilots Association lawyers in Bruce York and Zach Henige to discuss the union's perceptions of the mediation process and what could result. About 14 minutes in, the host and guests discuss how a strike is hindered by a long United States federal law Railway Labor Act procedure amended to cover airlines also.

There are also flight attendant staffing issues for Alaska Airlines to the point that double pay is being offered to flight attendants taking double shifts. Alaska Airlines is also again putting out a call for flight attendant hiring.

About the Boeing 737-800

N583AS at SFO Gate in latest Alaska Airlines livery
The Boeing 737-890 in question at a SFO gate
Photo: Eric Salard via Flickr

The Boeing 737-800, specifically a 737-890, was delivered in August 2007, and N583AS was the 2,333rd 737 off of the Boeing production line in Renton. 737-800s with the -890 code are 737-800s intended to be delivered to Alaska Airlines.

The Alaska Boeing 737-800s are configured to carry 12 first class passengers, 30 premium class passengers, and 117 coach class passengers. Each 737-800 is assigned for two pilots and four flight attendants. Boeing 737-800s have a 2,920 nautical mile range with a 530 mph cruise range.

Source: Alaska Airlines, KOMO