Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to deal with the fallout from a major global software outage. This disruption occurred three days earlier, leading to widespread grounding and delays in travel.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and reported 1,600 delays, as noted by FlightAware. The airline had previously canceled more than 3,500 flights, including Delta and Delta Connection flights, from Friday to Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In comparison, American Airlines experienced only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The problems originated from a flawed software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday night. This update inadvertently affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some instances, encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The software issue had widespread repercussions across various industries, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but the airline sector faced some of the most severe consequences. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort and pledging the airline’s dedication to connecting the world. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by travelers and indicated that Delta has made provisions for affected customers, including a travel waiver for free flight changes, meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took to social media late Sunday to address the situation, noting that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He emphasized that the airline must offer refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for any expenses incurred by affected passengers, stating that no one should have to endure an overnight stay at an airport or wait for hours to reach a customer service representative.