Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline continued to recover from a major global software outage that caused widespread disruptions over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600, according to data from FlightAware. Prior to this, the airline had already canceled over 3,500 flights across Delta and its regional partner, Delta Connection, between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing roughly 20% of its scheduled operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, which accounted for about 5% of its planned flights.
The issues confronting Delta were linked to a faulty software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to widespread access issues for corporate users and causing instances of the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance, but the aviation sector suffered particularly severe outcomes. More than 46,000 flights were delayed and over 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, with Delta being the hardest hit.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian remarked that canceling flights is always a last resort and expressed regret for the disruptions experienced by travelers. He noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many critical applications, including a system for tracking crew members, which was unable to adapt to the unexpected shutdown.
To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no additional cost and has also offered meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted on Sunday that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the situation, emphasizing the airline’s responsibility to offer refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursement for food and lodging expenses. He stated that no passenger should have to endure extended waits at the airport or be left stranded overnight.