Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it worked to recover from a severe global software outage that had grounded and delayed flights internationally.
The Atlanta-based airline reported the cancellation of 1,300 flights and delays for 1,600 on Sunday, as per FlightAware data. Additionally, Delta had canceled over 3,500 flights, including Delta and Delta Connection services, between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had already canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, constituting approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its planned operations.
The chaos was attributed to a faulty software update executed by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This malfunction affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate clients to lose access and, in some cases, experience severe system crashes.
The incident impacted a wide range of industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines were among the most heavily affected. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and an additional 5,171 were canceled. Delta was the airline hit the hardest.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology on Sunday, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He acknowledged that Delta’s operations heavily rely on Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for tracking crew members, which were unable to function due to the system shutdown.
To assist customers affected by the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver that allows passengers to change their flights at no extra charge, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also addressed the issue on social media, noting that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta should offer refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and ensure timely reimbursements for meals and lodging for affected travelers. “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg remarked.