Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline attempts to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed an additional 1,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware data. This followed an earlier wave of over 3,500 canceled flights for Delta and Delta Connection between Friday and Saturday.
By Monday morning around 8 a.m. ET, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, impacting approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, which is about 5% of its operations.
The airline’s troubles originated from a flawed software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This update malfunctioned, affecting Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident reverberated across nearly every major industry, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. The airline sector, particularly, suffered substantial setbacks, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone. Delta was hit especially hard.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian addressed the situation in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He expressed regret to those impacted, acknowledging the disruption to travel, which goes against Delta’s mission of connecting the world.
Bastian noted that a variety of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including crucial crew tracking tools that failed to process the necessary changes due to the system outage. Delta has offered a travel waiver, allowing customers to change their flights free of charge, alongside meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.
On Sunday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He urged Delta to ensure that affected customers receive refunds, complimentary rebooking, and timely compensation for expenses related to food and lodging.
Buttigieg emphasized that no traveler should be left stranded overnight at an airport or have to wait hours on the phone to reach customer service.