Delta Air Lines halted hundreds of flights on Monday, facing challenges in recovery following a global software failure that led to widespread cancellations and delays over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed around 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. This came after more than 3,500 flights were canceled between Friday and Saturday. By early Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing around 5% of its planned flights.
The disruption was attributed to a malfunctioning software update issued by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The flawed update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in corporate users facing access issues and even encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident adversely impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports suffering particularly severe consequences. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled according to FlightAware, with Delta facing the brunt of the disruptions.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, issued an apology on Sunday, emphasizing that flight cancellations are a last resort. He acknowledged the difficulty caused to travelers due to these disruptions and mentioned that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a crucial crew tracking tool that failed to adapt to the system shutdown.
In response to the travel chaos, Delta implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without penalty and provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
On Sunday night, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He emphasized the importance of refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and hotel expenses for affected passengers. Buttigieg also stressed that no one should have to sleep overnight at the airport or endure long holds while trying to reach customer service.