Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to face challenges following a global software outage that disrupted travel worldwide for three days.
The Atlanta-based airline grounded and delayed numerous flights over the weekend, with FlightAware reporting 1,300 cancellations and 1,600 delays on Sunday alone. Previously, Delta had already canceled over 3,500 flights, including those of its regional partner Delta Connection, between Friday and Saturday.
By approximately 8 a.m. ET Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, equating to roughly 20% of its scheduled operations. In comparison, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The problems originated from a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This disruption left many corporate users without access and led to critical system errors, commonly referred to as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the incident rippled through various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with more than 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations logged on Friday alone, with Delta suffering the most.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone affected by these events.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers and acknowledged the difficulties caused by the disruptions.
Bastian noted that a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a vital crew tracking tool that failed to adjust to the operational changes caused by the outage. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg remarked on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta must offer refunds, free rebooking options, and prompt reimbursements for customers’ food and lodging expenses. Buttigieg stated, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”