Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to deal with the aftermath of a global software outage that occurred three days earlier, resulting in numerous grounded and delayed journeys worldwide.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed an additional 1,600, according to FlightAware. Prior to that, over 3,500 flights were canceled between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, making up around 5% of its planned flights.
The operational challenges for Delta originated from a faulty software update rolled out by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This glitch affected Microsoft’s Windows operating system, disrupting access for many corporate users and causing some to confront the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions across various sectors, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines, in particular, were severely affected, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, saying, “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 highlighted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many operational applications, including a crew tracking tool that failed due to the software issues. To assist affected passengers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver that allows for free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
In light of the situation, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta is obliged to offer refunds, complimentary rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and lodging to those impacted. “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg asserted.