Delta Air Lines faced significant challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it attempted to recover from a major global software outage that left many travelers stranded over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, following over 3,500 cancellations over Friday and Saturday. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, the airline had already canceled 626 flights and delayed another 144, equating to about 20% of its scheduled operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing around 5% of its planned flights.
The airline’s troubles originated from a malfunctioning software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike implemented late Thursday night. This flaw affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving numerous corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some instances, encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident caused widespread disruptions across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were particularly hard hit. On Friday, FlightAware reported over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations, with Delta bearing the brunt of the chaos.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is viewed as a last resort. He apologized to those affected and affirmed the airline’s commitment to connecting people across the globe. Bastian noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a critical tool for tracking crews, which couldn’t adjust due to the system failure. To assist impacted customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing for free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
On Sunday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg shared on social media that his department had received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the crisis. He emphasized that the airline is obligated to provide refunds, allow rebooking at no extra charge, and ensure prompt reimbursement for food and lodging expenses incurred by affected customers. Buttigieg added that no one should have to spend the night stranded at an airport or endure lengthy wait times for customer service assistance.