Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to face challenges in recovering from a global software outage that disrupted travel for days.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, as reported by FlightAware. The airline had already canceled over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled just 38 flights and delayed 155, about 5% of its flights.
The disruptions for Delta were caused by a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday night. The defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some instances, encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most significantly affected.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, particularly a tool for tracking crew members, which was unable to process necessary changes due to the system shutdown. To assist travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without fees, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department received many complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta must offer refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for food and hotel accommodations for those affected.
Buttigieg further stated, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”